Poem

Beyond Peniel

By SALLY SEAGULL JOHNSTONE

From the July 1987 issue of The Christian Science Journal

Seeing your face before me
so guileless, so always-have-you-been-my-brother,
I know why Jacob wept in Esau's embrace—
so heartless he had been
so driven by other gods.
I know why Jacob wept against that grace.

I've tasted that remorse
now washed clean in sweet repentance
that no longer needs to wrestle for its place.
I know why Jacob's God swept out
those clinging fears of adversary in every bush
and let His son see grace,
face to face.

I know why Jacob wept in Esau's embrace.