[R. S. Gwynn]

After Great Things
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Let us go home, where righteousness abides.
The homes are ours, the righteousness as well,
And once we are securely locked inside
Ours is the pride that comes and gently swells
Our breasts with air that soon must be expelled
Like the gas of balloons. When we have sighed,
Let us inspire so as not to burst our sides
Or bulge against the censure of tight belts.

Now we have conquered pride, time comes to turn
Our full attention to humility;
If not humility (which none can learn)
Then faith or hope, perhaps, or charity,
Or something in-between no one can see
Or, leaning closer, still cannot discern.


Revised

After Great Things
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Let us go home, where righteousness abides.
The homes are ours, the righteousness as well,
And once we are securely locked inside
Ours is the pride that comes and gently swells
Our breasts with air that soon must be expelled
Like the gas of balloons. When we have sighed,
Let us inspire so as not to strain our sides
Or heave against the censure of tight belts.

Now we have conquered pride, time comes to turn
Our full attention to humility;
If not humility (which none can learn)
Then faith or hope, perhaps, or charity,
Or something in-between once cannot see
Or, seen but dimly, cannot quite discern.