The Shape of Water

The Shape of Water

In my parents' arms, fifty years ago
The humble useful water then did flow
July the last was sunny, warm
The formless took the cross's form
As proteins by which life does run -
(The twenty writ by three-in-one
From three-gig excerpts) - shapes-to-be
Which love and hate the boundless sea,
Yet on their own cannot attain
Their end, till God does pour His rain.

As once the Jordan did rejoice
And was heard the Father's voice
At flood-end did the Dove rehearse
As John submitted to reverse
By baptizing Baptism's Lord:
On Hydro-Gen was water poured -
Thus water a new shape was laid
All fountains then were holy made,
A death to end death, Adam's cure,
To give a shape which can endure:

And so the water poured on me
And gave a shape no one can see
Though voiceless others spoke for me
And each Easter I do agree

To renounce Satan and his works
To run from sin which near me lurks;
Attest the Father and His Son
Mary's child, by His cross won;
Spirit from the Two proceeding;
One holy Church, to Him leading,
And the rest which that Church teaches,
Through the grave this pathway reaches.

Now half a century has passed,
The dark and light, the slow and fast,
What more I must yet sow or reap
God help me in that shape to keep.


St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us.
St. Peter Canisius, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Oh Mary,
cause of our joy,
seat of wisdom,
help of Christians,
queen of the universe,
pray for us.

July 31 (my baptismal day) 2005

Hurray!