this was my own poetic offering at our easter art service:

in my glory
proud and shining influence
stretching to the furthest
reaches of all that i
hold together and of all
who dwell under my flag
you are not there

in my wisdom
sage and learned
ordering all i know
by class and phylum
setting each fact
into its place
you are not there

in my power
mighty and strong willed
bending nature and
circumstance to conform
meeting my ultimate desire
you are not there

among the established and powerful
the wise and expected
the learned and shining
among these
you are not

in my shame and
disgrace in my ignorance
and foolishness in
my weakness and failure
you are there

as i travel life’s road as
i sit childlike in your
arms as i search for depth
in the routine task of life
you are there

in the rough hewn rock and
sterile wrappings amidst the
stale air of death and deflated
souls who have seen hope struck
down by nail and wood
you are not there