The Bronze Serpent

Deeply interested in theology but never satisfied with the commonplaces of faith, Edward Lense wrote liturgical poems that delve into the meaning of belief. Both free verse and formalist, they employ biblical imagery such as transformative fire, living water, spiritual cleansing, and certainty of salvation to reveal their importance for modern times. Following the tradition of Milton, Donne, George Herbert, and T. S. Eliot, the poet tells of no easy principle of acceptance but the epiphany of revelation after searching.