Bride of the Ages

She leaves behind a famine
to glean the fields of harvest
Her hands know nothing of idleness
providing for her family

She stops the work when he calls
“Come and eat at the table with me!”
In one turn
her heart wholly commits

She remains steady in the waiting
her eyes fixed on him
When temptation comes to distract
she takes refuge in his shelter

She is a lily among the thorns
standing with dignity and grace
Overlooked by many as weak and outdated,
her purity radiates

She dresses in a robe of righteousness
a gift from her beloved
At the altar she’ll leave her name behind
and his will become her mantle

She is what he’s longed for
his bride of the ages
And he alone will satisfy
he is the king of heaven

Adrienne Scott, December 2024