Christening

A spiritual look at what children are and how their names might reflect their purpose.

Christening

She quickens her children
with the rite of breath,
for they are born of flesh.

And we name them with this paradox:
Uriah the Sword of Jehovah,
Shiloh the Giver of Peace.

The militant sword
shall triumph in peace,
for they are born of spirit.

As I am man to this woman,
flesh is flesh,
spirit is spirit.

I need not tell her this--
she knows and weaves
such strong tautologies

into
children.