I stopped to see a woodpecker, I heard it with my ear;
but looking through the blowing leaves, it turned away in fear.
That's the thing with nature's own, they run when we draw close.
It makes me long for such a time, when lion lays with lamb;
when things are as they ought to be 'tween nature, God and man.
Perhaps I know how Jesus felt when those He loved drew near,
they often were aghast at Him and turned away in fear.
Remember when the shepherds heard the angels loud proclaim,
"The Lamb of God has come to dwell!"
The shepherds did exclaim,
"What can this mean, that Christ has come?"
and they were sore afraid.
Remember when the Good Dear Lord upon the water walked?
And when the pigs flew down the hill, the people cried o'erwrought:
"Away from us, Jesus the Lord, we fear you drawing close.
Keep distance in this earth we dwell, 'til lion lays with lamb;
when things are as they ought to be 'tween nature, God and man."
Spring bike ride, 2007
