Galilee, after Jerusalem

The golden Galilean sea
Kindles dark embers of desire,
Frustrated lust to step beyond
Earth’s morphine clouds to realms of fire.
Hope’s desperate arrows strike you through
And Doubt’s cruel sword your soul lays bare,
As you consider all you know,
And all that lies in darkness’ care.

Is it too strange, too far beyond
The smallness of this life’s dim sight,
To let the brazen thought shine forth,
And set your mind, your world alight:
That here those feet in ancient time;
Walked on this placid wine-dark deep;
That here the tired Lamb of God;
Once laughed and loved, and died and rose, and hid his face to weep?