and he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and among the wild beasts, while the angels helped him.
imagine Eden revisited
within a declared good
a mini-wilderness grew
our friend Satan rose
from energized ground
to climb a fruitful treea wilderness whisper
of no consequences
piggy-backed a ripe scentsubtle satan smiled
an elderly couple drew near
promises turned to contractstraveling to Eden
takes but a moment
forgetting angels and animalsour naming and caring
are set aside
anticipating a wild rideyet one flaming angel
and a host of same
rally to a tree of lifewe sleepwalk through
a poisoned apple stupor
one consequence to a nextone bereft tree
left standing
renamed stump
cross and center
cedar and healthwe walk in wildernesses
personal and communal
aching to rememberhas it been 40 days already
or only 40 years or hours
we walk again between animalsan old promise
flames back to life
you are ever lovedin wilderness and out
we rejoin satans and angels
and claim a new name
C.S. Mann has the temptation as a first engagement in an eschatological conflict.
Immediately there is a mention of animals and angels which gives a sense of how that conflict will ultimately turn out. The animals become precursors to a new creation, two by two they lead to Paradise Regained after being Lost. Angelic messengers are ready to invite, “Come! Receive life-giving water!” flowing through an unguarded tree of life.