John Leax*

John Leax (1943—2024), known to his friends as Jack, is one of the pioneers of contemporary poetry written from a place of deep evangelical faith. The first of his six poetry collections, Reaching into Silence, was published by Harold Shaw Publishers in 1974. He also wrote one novel Nightwatch (1989), and several books of nonfiction. His 1993 book Grace Is Where I Live was expanded and republished with Wordfarm in 2004.

Jack Leax was also a professor of English and poet-in-residence at Houghton College in upstate New York from 1968 until 2009. He passed away from cancer on September 1st.

The following poem is from his poetry collection Remembering Jesus: Sonnets and Songs (2014, Poiema/Cascade). I am honoured to have worked with Jack as the editor for this, his final book.

Recognition

John 2:14-15
Luke 2:48

There was, I thought, something about the man
Familiar, an image pressed on the coin
Of memory. But slow, afraid, I’d join
The fallen under toppled tables, I ran.
I’m sure, now, I needn’t have. His harsh whip
Sought the rash of thieving profiteers
Hawking oxen. Sheep, and pigeons, their sneers
Mocking country pilgrims come to worship.

I crept back when breath returned. Around
Him stood the Pharisees. His zealousness
For the Father’s house brought back a scene. Years
Ago I watched a quiet boy confound
The elders. As then, I saw his brightness
Was a sword. His mother’s love would end in tears.

*This is the third Kingdom Poets post about John Leax: first post, second post.

Entry written by D.S. Martin. He is the author of five poetry collections including Angelicus (2021, Cascade) ― a book of poems written from the point-of-view of angels. His books are available through Wipf & Stock.