The Sparrow

A hawk soared high
with hungry eye
for hour after hour.
At times it'd stop
above rooftop,
above the belfry tower.

There it would perch
above this church,
atop the highest tree.
It's Satan's way,
to seek the prey -
for something greedily.

That hawk would plunge,
swoop down and lunge
to seize a tasty meal.
I thought it odd,
so prayed, "Dear God",
and knew this threat was real.

A sparrow sensed
the danger hence,
and needed quick, to fly.
Through broken glass
I saw, alas,
that sparrow fly right by.

Now safe inside,
it sought to hide.
This room it flew across.
What was in store
was answered for,
below the unlit cross.

Though fixtures broke,
the light had spoke,
as stained glass glowed throughout.
But broken pane
caused streaks from rain,
as church was emptied out.

When sparrow, see,
should follow, we,
and walk the straight and narrow;
to take refuge
from subterfuge,
with God's most precious sparrow?

If we'll return
to church and learn;
the God that grace is of;
then from all sin
there's safety in,
the shelter of His love.

I learned that day,
that come what may,
there's comfort under wing.
I know because
that sparrow does!
It sure can chirp and sing!

And so could we
if we were free
of peril from the perch.
So lets equip
in fellowship,
the filling of this church.

This poem was a finalist in the June 2012 poetry contest