The Broken Ugly

The Broken Ugly or Ugly Beauty

Have you seen the falcon soaring,
 High, majestic in its flight?
Death and pain are in its talons;
 They're rending, tearing limb and life.

Have you seen the glow of sunset?
Have you seen the moon’s bright gleam?
Have you wondered at the mountains
 Or joyed to swim the sparkling stream?

Have you seen the Grecian idols,
 Molded bodies, well-taught minds?
Has the joy of children filled you
 Or wonder at some childish ‘finds’?

Have you felt those bruising muscles?
Have you seen that mind crumbling?
Has the joy now turned to terror?
 Or does the ‘find’ now have a sting?

Have you heard of God’s Creation,
 Beauty shining perfectly?
But man’s rejecting God’s commands,
 Brought about the Broken Ugly.

Have you seen the Curse mar Blessing?
Have you seen God’s “good” shattered?
Have you seen the man and woman,
 Choosing death, deceived and flattered?

Have you heard the Gospel story,
 God forgives, life eternal?
But the cost was Jesus dying,
 Bearing wrath and sin infernal.

Have you seen the Man of Mercy?
Have you heard God on the cross?
Have you heard Him cry in anguish,
 Or welcome home a thief who’s lost?

Have you heard Him shout, “Completed”!?
Have you pondered what it means?
Have you seen His pain and triumph,
 And known for you His blood once streamed?

Have you seen the world in this way?
Has the Gospel dawned on you?
True, it shows sin, pain, and death –
 But grace and love and mercy too.