All Flesh Is Grass
“When the ungodly are green as the grass, and when all the
workers of wickedness do flourish, then shall they be destroyed
forever; but thou, Lord, art the most highest for evermore.”
—Psalm 92:7
When haughty lawless scoundrels with their boorish
Intrigues appear, like morning’s grass, to neither
Be sickly nor in scarcity, but flourish
In brightest greens, while humble people wither
Like faded blades cut down and left to feed
Rogues’ evil schemes—compost upon their vice—
One thinks perhaps to trade the Christian creed
For, “Some by virtue fall, and others rise
By sin.” Malignant overgrowth of weeds
Appears to suffocate, with strong-willed roots,
The fairest fields and flowers, and all seeds
Except seeds of frustration, fear and doubt—
Until the evening mowers intervene,
Cut down the proud, and leave God’s people green.
First published in First Things
Cynthia Erlandson is a poet and fitness professional living in Michigan. Her third collection of poems, Foundations of the Cross and Other Bible Stories, was released in July, 2024 by Wipf and Stock Publishers. Her other collections are These Holy Mysteries and Notes on Time. Her poems have also appeared in First Things, Modern Age, The North American Anglican, The Orchards Poetry Review, The Book of Common Praise hymnal, The Catholic Poetry Room, and elsewhere.
I knew I would like it before I read it Cynthia. Such an apt poem,
aptly written. Thank you.