Jonathan's Requiem

A poem

Dear Readers,

I recently began writing a new piece on friendship, which I hope to share with you soon. In the meantime, I wanted to publish a poem about friendship, Jonathan’s Requiem, which I wrote a few years ago.

Growing up, I used to pray often that God would give me a friend like Jonathan was to David. I was captivated by Jonathan’s selfless love and sacrifice. At some point, it occurred to me that it was somewhat pretentious of me to put myself in David’s shoes. Instead, I sensed an invitation to seek to be that friend to others — to sacrifice my own interests to see their calling fulfilled and their kingdom established.

And it occurred to me, isn’t that the Gospel that we profess? Christ gave up his crown, so that we also might ‘reign with him’? Hallelujah.

Sincerely,
Michael

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Jonathan’s Requiem

Would you take this crimson
crown from my hands
drenched with the sins of my father
wash it, hold it up and place it
on your own oily head,
my brother,
I am not the anointed one

Put on this coat, too
here’s my sword, bow, belt, and armor
I will take the spear
and because my blood
feeds the soil let this land
always remember, brother,
remember my love