Happy Easter!

4 April 2026

As this week, through tomorrow, is of the highest importance to Christians throughout the world, I thought to share a poem I wrote about 5 years ago, over two Easters. I think I drafted most of the poem the first Easter, 29 March 2021, and then revised & added to it 11 April 2022.

That Glorious Morn

The night was still
false dawn brightening
eastern horizon
two soldiers
stood
pointless duty
guarding the dead no one
escaped
none returned
from cold embrace
the silent grave.

Sound broke the silence
rumbling
toward soldiers eyed each other
as sound moved closer
stones tumbling from rocky bluff
behind them ground
beneath them
shook
fear-filled drunken reel light
exploded
from behind huge stone
blocking
entrance to tomb.

The light grew brighter soldiers
fell
to their knees
clear voice pierced rumbling
pierced
two soldiers
“Fear not!” implored voice soldiers
fled
blinded by the light
frightened
by the voice
echoing
from the tomb.

Two figures of light
coalesced
next to the stone
hurling
stone away opening
tomb brilliant light shone from within
shouts of fear
rose
above rumbling of earth
tumbling of stones
all motion ceased suddenly
silence
ruled again as sun rose
above horizon
bathing city in new light.

A figure emerged from the tomb
body broken no longer
source of brilliant light
grave no longer
victorious
perfect celestial form but for
prints of nails
mark of the spear
chorus of angels
greeted
newly risen Lord.

Three women approached
talking
hushed voices
wondering
over sudden earthquake
waking
them from uneasy sleep
tomb broken open
soldiers gone
empty
tomb greeted women
figures of light
proclaimed
“Fear not! Why seek ye
living
among the dead?”
Two women fled one
fell
onto knees weeping.

Gentle footstep approached
Mary looked up
saw
man coming toward her
“Where have you taken my Lord?”
she sobbed he spoke
her name filled with love
“Mary” she knew him
threw
her arms around his knees
weeping
with surprise and joy
bathing
his feet with her tears
“Hold me not” he told her
“for I have not yet
ascended”
on that glorious Easter morn.

There would be no Christmas without Easter. I add my own witness: He is risen! Happy Easter to all!