He gave me a mystery hard

To untangle

Since puberty

It’s been one endless wrangle

An off sort of power controlled by a writhing

In bonds and contortions so fast and exciting

With dangerous adventures behind every session

To heighten the moment of each helpless lesson

The images hover so high in my mind

Like puppets whose limbs are designed by the bind

And every so often the strings disappear

Replaced by invisible hands without fear

They rapture me up to a heavenly vision

Where capturing lovers is God’s perfect mission

Again and again I am bound for the sky

Gazing up at my Master by Whom I am tied

Such a kinky reminder of where I am bound

A simple spellbinder of where I am found

So I study the motive till sleep wanders in

While explosions so molten continue to win

I think back on how long ago it began

And wonder if maybe my thorn is God’s plan

But of course it is simple

This riddle of mine

(Among other things)

I’m learning to photograph thoughts in my mind

And for this I am grateful to God in His wisdom

For His love has enlightened my mystery prism

John Christopher

1982