OWL OF THE DESERT
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The Ballerina




        (For Ben)

Ruby was better at ballet
   than most.

At festival she danced
   her masterpiece.

The judges nodded approvingly
   and she hoped to win.

She sat in the audience
   while other performers took their turn

And witnessed Sarah dance
   as Ruby had never dreamed

Possible.  Marveling at Sarah's skill
   Ruby knew she could never match

Such perfection!  Her face flushed―
   what had all her work and training been for

Knowing she would never reach such heights herself?
   Ruby looked to the right and left at others watching

Politely in the auditorium.  Their faces showed
   they were oblivious to the level of beauty

Sarah displayed, her gift all-but-wasted
   on their untrained eyes.

The music ended and Sarah's feet rested.
   Ruby's resentment transformed

Into joy as she gave a standing ovation
   in worshipful tear-stained awe.

Her years of training and sacrifice
   had not led her to being the best

But to appreciate the genius of she who was―
   as only a fellow artist could.

Ruby grew to womanhood
   and remembered this lesson:

Practicing to become like Christ
   was not about being the best, oh no―

But to behold His infinite genius and grace
   as only a fellow artist can.
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  • Home
  • Poetry
    • Fleeing Egypt >
      • Tower of Babel
      • The Orchard
      • Tithing Settlement
      • Chastity for Churches
      • Sign
      • Cleaning House
      • Elijah
      • Rulers of Sodom
      • Beware
      • Two Churches
      • Beginning At My Sanctuary
      • Toll Road
      • Get it Strait
      • Corporation Sole
      • The Religion of the Circle R
      • Fig Tree
      • Eve
      • New Jerusalem
      • Shemlon's Shore
    • Ascending Sinai >
      • Ark
      • Sin of the Calf
      • An Idol Observation
      • Dew from Heaven
      • I love you, Elder Holland
      • Easter
      • How Sweet
      • Haiku
      • The Barn
      • Patron Saint
      • A Conversation with Brigham Young
      • Mine Testimony
      • The Meadow
      • The Gardens
      • Ice Fishing
      • Without End
      • Forest
      • Continental Divide
      • A Great Sacrifice
    • Promised Land >
      • Lanolin
      • Zion
      • Wisdom
      • Take Up Your Cross
      • Was the Sun the Same
      • Plain and Precious
      • Bridegroom
      • Faith
      • Amos
      • But First
      • Wax
      • Parable of the Piano
      • Repentance
      • Wake Up, Child
      • Cold Storage
      • Covered Wagon
      • Multiply and Replenish
      • Rollercoaster
      • The Baptist
    • Seven Stations of the Cross >
      • Jesus Condemned to Die >
        • Life Signs
        • Fashionable Religion
        • Tithing Declaration
        • A Pretty Important Detail
        • Jesus is All
        • Salt Lake Temple
        • Zion in the Lion's Den
        • High Noon
        • Bookmark
      • Jesus Stumbles and Falls >
        • Unveil
        • But Faith
        • Sifting
        • The Ballerina
        • Credit Declined
        • Prayer Circles
        • Work Out Your Salvation
        • Lovebirds
        • Unrequited
      • Simon of Cyrene Bears the Cross >
        • Proxy
        • Chartres
        • Like the Nile
      • Women of Jerusalem Weep
      • Jesus Stripped of His Garment
      • Jesus Nailed to the Cross
      • Burial and Resurrection
  • Blog
    • Previous Posts >
      • 2023 Posts
      • 2022 Posts
      • 2021 Posts
      • 2020 Posts
  • About
  • Contact