Another day of Pagan rituals blended
with evangelical fervor
we squint through the twilight
morning, standing damp-footed
in dewy, cemetery grass
for yet another sunrise service
I bow my all to Easter
Relatives and once-a-year attenders
drawn by the scorn of a long
gone grandma or some family curse,
now days called expectations,
arrive at church
I bow my all to Easter
Brunch in the basement
between services for
egg and bread casserole
hastily made the night before
with fruit and dry ham, barely warm
I bow my all to Easter
Overflowing sanctuary
new bright colored dresses
and enough ladies hats to force
even the most polite teenage boys
to smirk and jab their friends
I bow my all to Easter
Similar sermon with
a “zippy” new title, louder
does not make it different
or better, there is one
Easter story, get over it
I bow my all to Easter
“He is risen.” “He is risen indeed!”
some shout, others mumble
the silent few, hope not to be noticed
their obligation is clear
attendance “yes,” participation “no”
I bow my all to Easter
Families, friends gather for dinner
kids search for quickly hidden eggs
a few may not be found ‘til July 4
too much food and obvious table talk
candy, pictures and goodbyes
I bow my all to Easter
Cars chase dusk, disappear around the corner
a messy house, colored egg shells,
shiny foil wrappers, flimsy colored plastic grass
dishes to wash, leftovers to organize,
should have sent more with the others
Yet still, I bow my all to Easter
standing damp-footed
ReplyDeleteIn dewy, cemetery grass
That is a great image. I also like this one from the end:
Cars chase dusk, disappear
I'm with Marcus on the end line about cars. Loved that. And this...
ReplyDeleteDrawn by the scorn of a long
Gone grandma or some family curse,
Easter accepts all comings, I think. Even reticent ones such as these.
i think Easter changes with each pasing year
ReplyDeleteI thought long regarding attending Easter Service this year.
ReplyDeleteI did not want to be that "once a year" attender.
I had to ask myself why attend - this day - and not next week as well.
I wanted to sing the songs, sit with my aging parents. Listen to the sermon.
Be with people of Faith.
My parents were not going because of health issues. I spent the day with them.
People of Faith! We sang the songs. We talked, which was the sermon.
I bowed my all to Easter. Thank you, Jim
I had to think about attending Easter service this year. And not attend next week.
ReplyDeleteI did not want to be that once a year attender.
I wanted to sit with my parents, sing the songs and hear a sermon and be with people of Faith.
My parents health kept them home today. So I spent the day with them.
Sang the songs, talked, which became the sermon. I was with people of Faith.
I bow my all to Easter, thank you, Jim.