Sam Kauffman | + Follow Poet |
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Day of Silence

Day of Silence

A shredded temple curtain lies
Upon a shattered floor;
Silent Sabbath,
Daylight weeps before a stone,
Birds withhold their songs,
Dawn - undecided -
Rain - holding its breath -
Sunlight pacing -
Flowers fragrance -
Wandering in the shadows -
Jeers and taunts
Run from their echoes -
Earth's quaking - stilled 
Broken palms - quiet dirges -
Whispers tiptoeing past
Stunned dreams - broken -
While midnight stands watch
At a tomb
Yet in the dawn
Guards an empty sepulchre
When "Alleluia" -
Thundering joy -
Rings out
For this was no ordinary man
Shouted from Heaven's rooftops!

Copyright © Sam Kauffman | Year Posted 2020

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Gershon Wolf Date: 4/14/2020 12:21:00 PM Beautifully penned, Sam! … Did you hear that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was opened on Easter and that 10 monks prayed there? Blessings, Gershon Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 4/14/2020 1:17:00 PM Thank you my friend for your message of encouragement! I had not heard that story on the news. Many thanks for sharing this story of hope. Blessings to you!

L. J. Carber Date: 4/11/2020 2:05:00 PM I like the way you structured this, Sam--very dramatic. Congrats on your win! Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 4/11/2020 2:15:00 PM Thank you LJ. It seemed to me there was a powerful voice in the silence of this day. How could words express the devastation? And those who experienced the silence could never anticipate the thundering joy approaching them. I am so grateful for your congratulations! Happy Easter filled with many blessings my friend!

Edward Ibeh Date: 4/11/2020 1:44:00 PM Excellent piece, as always, Sam:-) You never fail to amaze me with your writes. Well-done! Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 4/11/2020 2:18:00 PM Thank you Edward. I wish I could take credit for this poem but I woke up with it swirling in my brain - tons of heavenly help! I am so grateful for all of your encouragement - challenges me to keep writing!

John Watt Date: 4/11/2020 12:55:00 PM The Silent Sabbath lies on the cusp between the saddest day and the most glorious day in earth's long history. The sadness is so reverently captured here with curtain on the ground, all of nature pausing in uncertainty, disciples trembling in fear, reeling from "stunned dreams". I loved the poetic poignancy of "Jeers and taunts / Run from their echoes". Yet Alleluias remind us God honors his promises. A fave for me, my friend, so edifying! Congrats on your win, and have a wonderful Easter! Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 4/11/2020 1:25:00 PM Morning John! I love your definition of this day as on the cusp! Wish I had thought of it. But, that being said, thank you for your encouraging words - as always! As I mentioned to Greg, this poem woke me up this morning. I always feel the silence of this Saturday - finally able to put it into words! Happy Easter!

Greg Gaul Date: 4/11/2020 12:09:00 PM Your reverance shows Sam in every piece you do on the religious theme. What blessing it is to put it all on display, this most holy of all weeks. Congratulations. Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 4/11/2020 12:42:00 PM Greg, I am honored and blessed by your message. Thank you. I have to admit this poem woke me up this morning but was inspired by a phrase from a newscast yesterday. I really can't take credit for it - a whole lot of heavenly help - but was hoping to share it on this "day of silence." Have a wonderful Easter my friend!