Breath

When the only form

was potential,

when nothingness prevailed,

in love and creativity

God breathed.

When the dust-laden flesh

moulded from the earth

coursed with its first

life-affirming joy

he breathed.

And she held her lifeless, murdered son

breath forever gone.

On a star-filled, wondrous night

a world held its breath,

a baby cried,

shepherds rejoiced

and angels sang around them.

So He hung in shame and torment

bloodied and alone,

despised and rejected

breathing forgiveness and love

till it was finished.

And they buried their lifeless, murdered One,

breath gone.

In darkness and emptiness

He rises

He lives

He breathes

And heaven and earth praise Him.

Light of the world, risen Lord

Our breath of life.

copyright Jo Collett 2013