Ujamaa Christian Poetry

The Vision of Adam Davy


Then I dreamt that I was at Rome


On Wednesday before the delectation
Of St. John (in the church of Bonifice).


There a man and woman knelt:
He was wrapped in a grey garment
Just like a pilgrim come to Rome;
And she was fair, honest and wise-
Lovely, coming of good kindred,
Her countenance mistook no man.


Like tides or like hours their voices:


'Now my song is turned to a cry…
I am old, I have no children.'


'All my youth and all my solace,
My forlorn hopes… I live alone,
I have neither daughter nor son,
No one who can share my sorrow.'


'My mirror is now in shadows
My senses are without light,
And I am like the dove who walks
On the grass when her mate is dead.
Tell me, Son, how I may have joy?'


His clothes and his limbs were bloodied;
His face was torn, as were his hands.


'O my Child, why do you suffer
To die with me in poverty,
When I would have made you the heir
Of my land, my house and my crops?'


Then he took the nails from his hands
And said,
'Now I will go with you.'


He will be the wreck of our foes
The Master of the Wilderness.
The sea shall arise and stand like a wall,
Though the vale of Josephat hold his doom.


God bring us to the company
Of angels, and peace without end.

Written by John Ballam

<----> SEND THIS POEM TO A FRIEND! <---->

Ujamaa Christian Poetry