The Doves Above Jerusalem
The Doves Above Jerusalem
Jason G. Duesing
We heard the doves before we saw them
above Jerusalem,
and wondered
(Jn 5, Bethesda)
Did the doves above Jerusalem coo,
then fly
as water stirred,
a lame man walked—
dry?
(Lk 19, Mount of Olives)
Did the doves above Jerusalem fly,
then lilt
as palms waved,
a donkey carried,
down Olivet mount?
(Mt 23, Temple Steps)
Did the doves above Jerusalem lilt,
then flit
as woes resounded,
a Teacher taught,
on steps of ascent?
(Jn 13, Upper Room)
Did the doves above Jerusalem flit,
then run
as disciples gathered,
a last supper,
denial and betrayal come?
(Mk 14, Gethsemane)
Did the doves above Jerusalem run,
then abate
as a garden darkened,
a will surrendered—
arrest from the gate?
(Mk 14, Caiaphas House)
Did the doves above Jerusalem abate,
then swoon
as false claims,
a death sentence—hit and spit,
to a pit—He they threw?
(Lk 22, Caiaphas House)
Did the doves above Jerusalem swoon,
then cry
as disciples fled,
a rooster howled,
to the dark sky?
(Jn 19, Governor’s Fortress)
Did the doves above Jerusalem cry,
then hide
as leaders acquiesced,
a ‘man to behold’ given
to cries, “Crucify!”?
(Jn 19, Via Dolorosa)
Did the doves above Jerusalem hide,
then mourn
as the Man-God carried
a cross—a curse,
through city scorned?
(Jn 19, Golgotha)
Did the doves above Jerusalem mourn,
then moan
as His words fulfilled,
a nail, a spear—pierced,
for sin atone?
(Jn 19, Burial Garden)
Did the doves above Jerusalem moan,
then bray,
as a tomb received,
a stone rolled shut,
in exile, laid?
(Jn 20, Burial Garden)
Did the doves above Jerusalem bray,
then soar,
as the angel declared,
refrain of joy—
“Risen! Death no more!”?
(Jn 20, Jerusalem)
Did the doves above Jerusalem soar,
then sing
as the Lord appeared,
the women announced,
as peace He brings?
(Ac 1, Mount of Olives)
Did the doves above Jerusalem sing,
then rise,
as the Father’s promise:
the Spirit’s descent,
after the Son’s seated, on high?
We heard the doves before we saw them
above Jerusalem,
and Wondered.
Jason G. Duesing
Professor & Author
Jason is the author of the children’s book The Moon Speaks (B&H) and serves in academic administration and teaches historical theology at Midwestern Seminary & Spurgeon College in Kansas City.
Photography by Kerim Serdar Kutbulak