John Townsend

WE

We 

wish the good,

but

do the bad.

Treasure the real,

but

praise the false.

Hold 

fast the truth,

but

obfuscate, omit,

lie.

Proclaim 

that flame of love

yet

burn with

hidden hates.

Hunger for manna

by day

feed wild desires

by dark.

Take pleasure

in nature,

cut

 trees to stumps,

grasses to roots.

We 

trudge forward

in

swamp and sludge,

Stretch

eyes and arms

ever upward

for

the lights

of

heaven.