Angel's Task: Poems in Biblical Time

Laurie Patton's "Poems in Biblical Time" give contemplative voice to the reading cycle of the Jewish year. Replete with ancient imagery coming alive in the language of the present, each poem weaves scripture into everyday life while refocusing a single Biblical moment. In her vision here, angels are also messengers "sent to earth with a single piece of work to accomplish"; Although we are of "so many minds"; burdened with "so many tasks"; as readers we again receive messengers and the messages they bring. Recognition may come in the angelic voice, and we can meet angels and ourselves at "the tent door in the heat of the day." Angel's Task urges continuous awe-or "trembling."