In Praise of Michelangelo's Moses

Michelangelo Moses wrought:

His Wrathful Fury master'd,

And therein Mankind taught.

O Lawgiver, I gaze upon thee,

Thy form doth volumes speak:

Thy power check'd, thy will reserv'd,

And therein my answer seek.

Thy Horns of Light, no mystery,

For as the Cross beheld the Lamb,

So too didst thou ascend Sinai -

Thou art but God's Ram!

O Titan Stilled, thy gazes goes forth,

'Tis locked on the Evil of Man:

Thy people lost, thy children fallen -

Th' Truth slips from thy hand!

Thy flamin' locks they curl and smoke,

As crown to thy brooding brow.

Thy hand wouldst deal Death and Fury -

But thy Heart doth not allow.

Thy flowin' beard doth cataract

As torrents over thy heavin' chest.

O Fiery Prophet hold tight!

And let thy Anger rest.

With Lightning Shock thy hand it rose,

Wrath and Blood, thy Spirit roar'd.

But then didst settle the Gentle Dove -

Vengeance is Mine, so sayeth the Lord.

Thy robes encase a Frame of Stone,

Tho' let not thy Heart be so!

Th' Word hast been spoken unto thee -

Now let that Spirit flow.

Thou didst not climb and God to face

For with Anger to return:

Dash not those Tables to the Earth,

And let thy people learn.

So Adam Yahweh form'd,

Tho' Michelangelo Moses wrought:

His Wrathful Fury master'd,

And therein Mankind Taught.

Robert T. Tuohey
jadedragon61@hotmail.com
http://jadedragon.250x.com/welcome.htm