Self-Realization Poem by Paul du Plessis

The carpenter’s son
Though not his son
Leaves home and the sawdust
For a journey of discovery
To be dipped in the Jordan
Remaining human
As a dove descends
With divine authority.

Alone in the wilderness
Yet not alone
Among century-old stones
Ground to dust
Tested to the limits
Until the evil angel flees
Leaving him with the knowledge
That he is who he thought he was.

Back to Nazareth
Explaining it all
In prophetic language
Identifying with the past
And shaping the future
Empowered by a presence
That is his, yet not his own
And still misunderstood.