Bride
Poem inspired by John 3:29, Isaiah, Song of Songs, etc.
I’m not sure I ever noticed the quote below by John the Baptist in the Gospel of John, which is not read as part of the church lectionary. I was struck by John’s joy for his friend, Jesus, the bridegroom. My poem is written from the perspective of the bride in a stream of consciousness or dreamlike style, incorporating metaphors from Isaiah, Jeremiah, Song of Songs, Matthew, Ephesians, and Samuel John Stone. This is my third in a series of poems inspired by the Gospel of John, including “Word with God” (John 1:1-14) and “First Sign” (John 2:1-11).
“He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled.” - John 3:29
Bride
Being God’s bride has been euphoric or hazardous at various points in history. As the groom’s friend knows. The cast-off wife of another man’s youth, forsaken, abandoned, disgraced— God gathered her up and they rejoiced in enduring love. So she followed God into the wild. Her bridesmaids waited, growing drowsy while the groom was delayed… dreaming with their sister of sweet love, better than wine in a lush garden… when Jesus called, "Make your home with me, abide in my eternal love." Joy fulfilled, everlasting life, redeemed wife. Then for his holy bride, he died.
Q: Have you had an interesting or spiritual experience as a bridesmaid or groomsman? Email your reply or comment on the Substack app.
