nails, spear, tomb
dead, buried and gone
their hope for a renewed
transformed future lost
utterly defeated
death reigns
for one man
for humanity
they were certain
friends, opponents
authorities alike

except that
in defiance of reason
contrary to all expectation
death is far too small a thing
to constrain, to make an end
of love in all its fullness
not the anticipated
full stop

last day
in the garden she
had watched him buried
stone rolled, guard set
it was all over, done
only grief remained
aching absence

first day
she heard a word
penetrating the tears
voice unmistakable
"Mary"

dead
but no longer dead
however improbable
fully, huggably, utterly alive
even if they wouldn't believe it
accept the truth of it from a woman
debate forever what it might mean
yet whatever they may say
I know what I know
I heard, I spoke
I saw, I held
alive


Easter Sunday
20th April 2025
following John 20.1-20