Coincidence of Opposites

Coincidence of Opposites

As Emerson found in Uriel's gall
beginning stake of mankind's Fall.
The balance-beam of Fate was bent.
The bounds of good and ill were rent.

How can we live with such a fickle:
Saint and sinner we at once.
Subject all to Satan's sickle
slicing sin from innocence.

Coincidence of opposites
Incarnate flesh and spirit.
Are we bound celestial light
Or Dante's Lost, our human plight?

The higher way we preach and pray
Our confession wins God's favor.
But sin abounds to judgment day
And mercy brings a Savior.

So aspiration, prayer and chant
recall man's loathsome falling.
But by his game the devil cant
sings pride and makes it wholesome.

Where can we turn, what do we do:
no final end to claim us?
So must we live without your grace
And Lucifer deceive us?

Incarnate love from God is sent
Incarnate Lord to rescue.
By sin life's harmony still bent
Incarnate Spirit; we repent.

Coincidence of opposites
A fearsome contradiction.
Slave to free, the first to last
By grace from malediction?