Eyes of fire set deep in gaunt, sunken face Sun-burnt skin over bones stretched tight Wild mane glimmers with holy light The lonely prophet barefoot runs his race
Sat down on uncarved stone on the salt plains In wilderness heat off’ring prayer As arid winds tousle his hair The sun will set, night falls, yet he remains
Chanting psalms over wastes in desert haze Fasting, searching, waiting for One Sighing beneath the beating sun Searing bruised soles walking sands all ablaze
Heart heavy with the taunts of his brother Rememb’ring mighty works long past To the old promise holding fast Dreaming new hope for Zion his mother
Battered by visions of hail and thunder Summoned, plague and blight to predict God’s edict none may contradict Tyrants to fell and kingdoms to sunder
In threadbare raiment of camel’s tired coat Commands for rended heart he heeds A call from empty words to deeds Found wanting now the blood of lamb and goat
Glancing past the veil, lo! above the dome The glory of Him on the throne To whom is worship due alone Intoning a strain to sing exiles home