Ox and Straw

Thomas’ classmates snubbed him, judged him on the spot
“Dumb Ox” they dubbed him in jest for his taciturn ways
But they forgot that quietude is the wise man’s lot
He soon poured forth silver speech, cutting through darkest haze

He gained wisdom from scholars pagan and divine
Admiring their harvests, their new and old yields
Yet he favored one that above the rest did shine:
Rich, golden grasses gleaned from Macedon fields

The Ox took the Greek grains, mulled them over in his jaw
Ruminated on the truth hidden in the forbidden fruit
He learnt the four causes and the secret of natural law
The rational animal sifted the seed that took deep root

Yet even over the Philosopher of antiquity
Thomas held Another’s words more brilliant still
Those of Him who paid the price of our iniquity
Who labors the hungry stomach and mind to fill

In humility, he listened to his teachers
One of molten heart and pliable mind
Like Adam, he named God’s creatures
Classified them each according to kind

After a lifetime of truth-seeking and sage reflecting
The humble Dominican came before a Crucifix luminous
And before the living sacramental genuflecting
A voice addressed him, and he experienced the numinous

For from the Rood, Jesus Christ spoke to the saint saying,
“Thou hast written well of me; what wouldst have thee?”
The incredulous priest pondered, his Master’s words weighing
He said: “Thou are more than sufficient for me!”

From that day on, he let go stenographer, parchment, and quill
He laid down his Summa, composed not a hymn or verse more
The Ox abandoned himself to the providential Will
Plied his spirit to prayer; in lecture, his mind’s stock and store

All paled in comparison to the vision he saw
The glory of God unlimited, the joy and His sublimity too
All the Ox’s works, at the sun’s setting, were nought but straw
Illumined not by man’s mind, but by Divinity pure and true.

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