Best Religioneaster Poems
A life predestined, foretold by prophets-
Jesus’ fate was sealed: sacrificed life
that we could have the same everlasting.
Betrayed by a kiss for silver pieces,
three times denied by Peter – ‘don’t know him!’
Enemies awaited in the Garden,
abused and scorned and accused of blasphemy.
Sent to Pilate who questioned – ‘he’s done no crime!’
Crowd cried crucify him! - Pilate soon appeased.
Scourged till bloody, excruciating pain –
nailed to a cross through feet and hands
liked a common criminal though not guilty.
Passers-by ridiculed, shouted insults.
He called ‘Father, why have you forsaken me?’
Prayed for his tormentors, a robber, too.
Darkness descended midday, like midnight –
foreshadowing Jesus’ death impending –
catalyst – Redeemer of human life.
Three agonizing hours passed: Jesus cried
‘into Thy hands, I commit my spirit’ then died.
A spear pierced His side – blood and water flowed
washes away all our sins eternally.
by Carol Fillmore
for "What Easter Means to Me" contest
sponsored by Gwendolen Rix
WHAT EASTER MEANS TO ME
……… and into the city of god rode this man,
following the road to his end and beginning -
our palm leaves under his guiltless feet
to become nails piercing his palms and feet.
The sun died as the Son died.
Completely consumed, he died in silence,
as he gave up the ghost, as he left us alone,
birds, harking in stark branches
for the dark wings of the angel of death,
coming with its black sack, its veil,
sunless-lightless-lifeless - where no bird sings.
And our breath was stopped, held,
and we, bereft, waited in mourning
in this vale of tears - for him
to die and lie in a cave
blocked with boulder and soldier ...... ,
...... Then rolled away
and the Son, his glorious face pouring love on us all
rose and pushed aside the black stone into oblivion
and pierced a hole in the veil, infinitely, gloriously,
and we were restored to life in the smile of heaven.