I Saw the Seraphim

*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8 CLASSIC POEM: The Seraph and the Poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning The seraph sings before the manifest God-one, and in the burning of the Seven, And with the full life of consummate Heaven Heaving beneath him like a mother’s breast Warm with her first-born’s slumber in that nest. The poet sings upon the earth grave-riven Before the naughty world soon self-forgiven For wronging him; and in the darkness prest From his own soul by worldly weights. Even so, Sing, seraph with the glory! Heaven is high — Sing, poet with the sorrow! Earth is low. The universe’s inward voices cry Amen to either song of joy and wo — Sing seraph, — poet, — sing on equally. *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: I Saw the Seraphim Roger Wagner SNIPPET: I saw the Seraphim one summer’s night Reaping it seemed a field of endless wheat. I heard their voices through the fading light Wild, strange and yet intolerably sweet. … [ READ THE FULL POEM ]