In a seldom visited corner of the Garden
grows the Tree of Madness,
so well hidden
its fruit ripens unforbidden.

But one warm afternoon
as she pushes curiously through the jungle
tendrils trailing over her bare shoulders
Eve comes upon it–
    twisted branches,
    spiny fruit,
    roots coiling from the earth.

Her breath catches:
the orderly perfection of Eden
has not prepared her
for the unspeakable splendor
of chaos.

What is the flavor of this fearsome fruit?
How pungent the passion?
How savory the vision?
How sweet the freedom?
How tasty the charity?
How spicy the aspiration?

The madness of God
is the madness of grace.

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.