I Will Not Bow

Verses on staying true and facing the furnace.

Photo by Gian-Carlo Zimmermann on Unsplash

I’m trying something new this week. Stay tuned this Sunday for a deeper dive behind my inspiration for the following poem!

***

I Will Not Bow

I will not bow to this burning furnace core,
but pray the fire to purge my heart the more;

for one other walks the roasting coals with me.
Dove-like and Love-like—to Him I bend the knee.

I will not bow to the flaming flag of pride,
but only to the blood and heart of Christ:

far more vibrant than forty flags’ vivacity,
far yet more filled with sure felicity.

I will not bow to the false and splitting tongue,
though cutting word may spit, or freeze the lung.

The costly cross has spilt the purest blood,
and for my sake, stokes the truest flame of Love.

I will not bow to the warring, clenching hand,
nor will I in voiceless vigil fearful stand—

though the Word of Truth will pave the way to death,
I will worship my one true King, beyond my final breath. 

©Graham Jackson, 2024