Walking through a forest wood,
one dim and sunless day,
Enveloped by a somber mood
and darkening dismay,

I chanced upon a monolith – 
a mirror fashioned by
an ancient master silversmith
t’was roughly ten feet high.

The words engraved upon its frame,
both ominous and bright:
“As you gaze I will proclaim
True Nature, dark or light.”

The image from that looking glass
was hideous and vile.
A dark and bottomless crevasse
of revolting, evil bile.

My heart was full of unclean things
My throat an open grave.
Hands of theft and coveting
A deceitful tongue enslaved.

“This can’t be!” I turned my eyes
from truth I could not face.
The repugnant filth, the wretchedness
The staggering disgrace!

And then I saw the thorn-stained brow
The bloody nail-scarred hands.
And realized my sins somehow
Were cast upon this man.

The Lord had taken all the shame
Of sins from all mankind
The truth reflected in that pane
Included sins of mine.

And there I stood in snow-white robe
That He had given me
With all the folks from around the globe
From sin He had set free.

True nature was indeed confessed
In the mirror in the glen:
Lord Jesus gave His righteousness
In exchange for sins of men.

Frank Knight
3/17/2026