The Evening Sacrifice

In my youth the dentist was Doctor Weld
A philosopher who was kind to me
The organist at church was Doctor Held
We sang Bach and then talked of destiny
Odd memories realities no more
I learned to write chorales like Bach myself
Such things as these the verities to soar
At Concordia University
Now my doctor has my books on his shelf

I think a lot about philosophy
Perhaps now is after then was before
But what? I think of them both now and then
Of whom? Of Doctor Weld and Doctor Held
Like: do they live or die? And: how or when?
How do I live or die? Not very well
(In te Domine speravi) today!
I did not have to die to go to hell
(Non confundar in aeternum I pray)

If philosophers live in limbo I
Suppose this is where I am live or die
Now: no then no how no when and no more
Since now is neither after nor before
I have nowhere to go and so I stay
(In te Domine speravi) Today
Is the lifting up of my empty hands
(Non confundar in aeternum I pray)
The evening sacrifice God understands

+Steven Curtis Lance



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