the chorales in Bach's St. Matthew's Passion

they stand alone
proclaiming the truth of our red hot passion
in blue cool softness
in the midst of the great story of
God’s incredible grace

they stand alone
in suspended harmonic shifts
giving voice to the uncertain beauty of
our inconstant faith

they stand alone
surrounded by the infinite inventiveness
of a man divinely inspired and brings us back
to the stone floor of the earthly congregation

they stand alone
in lovely simple contrast
to the complexity of fighting fugue
and conniving counterpoint

they stand alone
and transport us to
solid ground of grateful growth