This side of the Divide

After Diocesan Convention I received an email from my friend, Sam Portaro.  He welcomed me to the .rank of senior priest.  This side of the Divide, it makes sense.  Thank you, Sam, for naming it.

Before Advent began

A dear friend wrote to me.

He told me I have entered the rank

Of Senior Priest.

He told me John the Baptist

Is our patron saint,

The very one who incarnated the truth:

We must decrease

In order that others

May increase.

It was a missive

Of welcome.

This side of the Divide

It makes sense.

I picture John

Cartwheeling in Elizabeth*s womb

Before he was born.

I picture John

Cartwheeling

On the banks

of the Jordan River

After a breakfast of bugs and honey

Waiting to decrease

After the One who must increase

Has arrived

To take his place.

This side of the Divide

It makes

A particular kind of sense.