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# Stone and Flesh
- URL: https://mereorthodoxy.com/stone-and-flesh/
- Published: 2025-10-21T11:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-18T14:40:04.000Z
- Description: a sonnet on law, gospel, and why we can't chisel our way back to life
- Author: Mere Orthodoxy
- Tags: Alex Kneen, Poetry, Formation

I started with a heart of hardest stone  
And chiseled out the duties of the Law  
The sure concussive iron stroke alone  
A pulse that though it beat could never draw

The blood of life or coax my love to rise  
But as my conscience tried to prove the score  
The wretched etchings tallied the demise  
The Law as judge had cut in stone before

Thus sealing life and death in stark motif  
But Mercy, through the Law, redressed the brand  
He crushed my heart to dust for my relief  
Then measured all its grains into his hand

He formed a heart of flesh to mark my death  
And kissed me back to life with Holy Breath

*From the upcoming collection* [*Chasing Shadows, Dancing with Light*](https://www.bygraceforglorylit.com/chasing-shadows-dancing-with-light?ref=mereorthodoxy.com)*, with permission from By Grace For Glory Publishing.*