O Barren One, Sing Out

O barren one, sing out, break forth in song! Prepare a room, no, add a wing to host The children that you’ve waited for so long! Your offspring will inhabit every coast! Lift your sweet face, o spurned, deserted, scorned! Let go your indiscretions of the past. For I, the Lord of Hosts, have you adorned, And tightly, with compassion, hold you fast! O city, desolate in smoldering waste, Your rebuild has begun this very hour! Your enemies are routed, flee in haste, For I, the Lord, will stand watch in the tower! Unhitch thy belt, get off thy weary feet; Recline, put off your burdens and abide! A table laid; before you, wine that’s sweet. Come, all who thirst, drink deep, be satisfied! (from Isaiah 54) ————— FIRST PLACE WINNER For the ‘Songs of Praise’ Poetry Contest, Sponsored by Robert James Liguiri Submitted 2/4/22