The Parable of the Sower

Stained glass in the Arts & Crafts style,
set in a medieval church.

I

The sower goes out to sow. His sense and form
Move only in a landscape of stained glass;
     The leads like ivy stems,
     Enmeshing, bind him in.
Outside, it is afternoon; inside, the sun
Irradiates a face in shadow-eyes
     Inclined toward the earth
     Crimsoning underfoot.
The glory round about and through his limbs
Is vision in excess of daily need,
     Devotion in the work
     Dispersed beyond the seed.

II

Victorian glass of eighteen ninety-seven,
Replacing the clear light in the west wall
...