As Light Dissolves

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.” I John 4: 7.

As light dissolves the shadow’s sway
So love drives out all fear.
The night retreats before the day,
As love turns hate to cheer.

The army of advancing love
Fools night without deceit
No raptor strikes; instead a dove
Descends the foe to meet.
See patience, hope, and kindness head
This army’s avant-garde.
But selflessness is yet more dread:
He bears the healing nard.

Then suffering — the coup de grâce
Lays down his life for foes.
So entering through death’s dark maw,
With light death overthrows.

The horde of fear and wrath retreats;
Their swords reformed as spades.
Thus so when love with hate competes,
Victorious light invades.


Drew Keane

Drew Nathaniel Keane is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Writing and Linguistics at Georgia Southern University and a PhD candidate in the School of English at the University of St. Andrews, writing a thesis (tentatively) titled The Use of the Prayer Book: The Book of Common Prayer (1549-1604) as Technical Writing for an Oral-Aural Culture. With Samuel L. Bray, he edited the 1662 Book of Common Prayer: International Edition (IVP Academic, March 2021). From 2012 to 2018 he served on the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music. More of his work is available at drewkeane.com.


'As Light Dissolves' have 2 comments

  1. June 22, 2022 @ 7:50 pm Cynthia Erlandson

    I love the way the military metaphor is carried through. “Their swords reformed as spades” is my favorite line.

    Reply


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