Jump. Dr. James Simmons

generation of our souls

      In quest to confound with that age-old riddle of original sin

      Thus, it began where it always begins in our pandemonium

      “The World was all before [us], where to choose

      [our] place of rest, and Providence [our] guide

      [We], hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow

      Through Eden took our solitary way”

      As did Adam, so did Eve

      Step across the threshold of fiery swords sent to impede

      Leaving but dust-laden footprints to mark the path

      That free will chose

      A memorial to innumerable curses

      All but children of one fatal choice

      Told forever in the greatest of all words

      Burned eternal and forever reiterated

      To satisfy this ignoble flesh

      For that which I do I allow not

      For what I would, that do I not

      But what I hate, that do I

      As it is written it is true

      No man can serve two masters

      Loyalty being such a fickle creature

      Torn with eyes to the lamb

      Hearts infected with bestial nature

      Though reprehensible and immoral

      Desires bear thoughts

      Thoughts bear deeds and repercussions so deplorable

      I chose

      We chose

      Because he elected her primacy

      And now true orphans as none before in God’s fold

      We journey as the seed never alone

      Forced to bear the weight of the depth of our restraint

      And the chains of our faith

      The product of our folly to dance

      In flames void of light

      Our glory extinct

      Swallowed in endless misery

      Trapped eternal in sulfurous hail

      Left to cry on suppliant knee

      Eyes tied to a night without stars, without hope, without grace

      Burning inferno without heat, only pain and sorrow

      Hobbling on a barren plain that cannot harbor rest

      Free of the conscience of the Almighty

      And no marvel for Satan himself transformed into an angel of light

      The lion and the wolf with heart as black as the darkest night

      Since sin without form first sprang from Satan’s mind

      This fatal cancer of his pride

      With whom he with sin in pleasures so joyously entwined

      Begot death who he himself could not surmount

      Yet he with unyielding aim turned his sight toward the only pain deemed worthy of the victor’s aseity

      Toward changing the nature of man’s heart from grace into seeds to grow

      Not the fruit of Jehovah but of the world

      For us to believe that the sweetness of our sin is freedom

      Our minds not changed by place or circumstance

      Nay, not even the promises beyond heaven’s gate

      The happy fields where joy forever dwells

      And the golden roads and mansions with peace eternal

      Transfixed in feral instants unhindered to perseverate offense

      And heap upon ourselves damnation

      Our station sufficient in itself with choice

      To make hell of heaven or heaven of hell

      Isolated in the glory obscured by sin released

      Ingloriously eclipsed with covenants of Azazel

      Our travail to perceive

      There was nothing good left in him only ill

      That fallen cherubim of erred fate

      Seamless victim of his own end

      Infinite study of unconquerable will and immortal hate

      His greatest strength the courage never to submit

      And make all but God’s greatest man weak (for none deserve the glory)

      And yet this titan of the gloomy deep

      This archfiend of revenge stands reduced to but a tool of his father’s providence

      For out of his evil to bring forth good ends

      To YHWH always be the glory!