After Easter alleluias
brunch and bunches
of spring flowers in vases
the effort of work
age gathering letting go
staring at the moon
sweet face before our eyes
brushes of spring and autumn.

Vigil

The blaze of the new fire –
primal roaring crackle
throwing violent sparks into the night
stills to silent flames tamed
on candles held singly against the darkness.
Sung proclamations batter church walls
bells ringing raising banners
procession leading white robed dancers
rafters receive rising incense clouds
Easter bloom from death.

Fade to succession of days
leading away from steeples
oaken doors clothed altars hushed apses
into snug pubs food carts coffee joints
bestowing on each other our time
broken laughter intimate love words
knowing neither beginning or end
there too am I with a raised glass
remembering occasionally
fleeting moments of clarity
like bells far away
the new fire burns
dancers whirl in the night
incense billows in deep forests
stars hold celestial banners
the air itself breathes alleluias.

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Portland, Oregon – Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016

The images in this work are from the celebration of the Easter Vigil, the culmination of the three day service known as the Triduum, or, the “Three Days:” The Vigil is held on the Saturday evening before Easter Sunday

Also, my recognition and thanks to the great French poet Arthur Rimbaud for his beautiful line: “I have stretched ropes from steeple to steeple; Garlands from window to window; Golden chains from star to star … And I dance.” I thought of that when I wrote, above, “Stars hold celestial banners.”