These poems, written in various forms, capture the Easter message beautifully. As I post this today, I remember our poet-friend, Robert Burnham, who has two poems included here. Robert went home to be with our Savior in 2015.
Have a blessed Easter!
(This is a repost from 2011.)
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day.” -1 Corinthians 15:3-5
“Good Friday Kyrielle”
by Sheila Deeth
From dust to earth from earth to seed
From seed to leaf from leaf to tree
From tree to cross against the sky
The earth has borne my Savior high
The lamb will birth, the flower bloom
The canopy of sky make room
The page of history burn dry
For earth has borne my Savior high
The stalks of grain will manger make
And scattered crops for food he’ll take
Then palm to cross I’ll twist and tie
The earth has borne my Savior high
The one who made each living thing
Gave life, gave hope, gave seed, gave wing
The king we hailed, then crucified
The earth has borne my Savior high
One dawn these clouds will roll away
The sky will fall and end the day
Then we who live will never die
For earth has borne our Savior high
“The Cross”
by John Beck
For centuries upon this earth
I stood with pride and grew in girth
Until by man I was undone
To crucify the Holy One
Who could have known that from this tree
A cross would change eternity
Hewn from my trunk they had begun
To crucify the Holy One
Should I bear shame for I took part
In cross intended from the start
Now standing here under the sun
To crucify the Holy One
Or should I stand with humble pride
As symbol for all who abide
With Him? They know not what they’ve done
To crucify the Holy One
Don’t You Know He Cried For You
©2011 Robert C Burnham
Mindful Poetry Contest: Anapeat for Holy Week.
Were you there when Jesus died
Did you object when Peter lied
Did you mock Him when he looked your way
Where were you on that fateful day
Don’t you know He cried for you
Don’t you know He wanted your heart too
Were you there when Jesus died
Laughing at Mary as she cried
Did you know he saw you on that day
There was nowhere to run or hideaway
Don’t you know He cried for you
Made no difference Gentile or Jew
Were you there when Jesus died
Winced from the flesh that fell from His side
Were you afraid when the sky went gray
When lightning bolts flashed and thunder splayed
When the temple veil was torn in two
Did it seem that hell was following you
Were you there when Jesus died
Did you hear the words that Jesus cried
“Father forgive them on this day,
They do not know they’ve gone astray”
Don’t you know He cried for you
He gave so much to see you through
Were you there when Jesus died?
“Untitled”
By Marianne K.
Rejoice my friend
paint the sky blue
let darkness flee
Call forth the truth
of triumph on earth
of glory divine
The King of Kings
the Lord of Lords
with love descends
The sun bursts forth
upon the Son of God
who died and rose
Rejoice my friend
sing hymns of praise
hands to him raise
“DAY OF CRUCIFIXION”
© Robert Burnham
Did you see the blackened sky
As they nailed Him to the cross
Did you see tears in Mary’s eyes
Did you contemplate her loss
Or were your eyes shut tight
Self-blinded to the cost
Did you listen when they mocked Him
Did you hear them curse His name
Did you hear the silence of His disciples
As they turned and ran in shame
Or were your ears waxed shut
To the lonely cries of His pain
Did you shout out in protest
At the cruel things that were done
Did you forget how to speak
As though the cat had your tongue
Were your lips glued tight together
While they crucified God’s Son.
I would like to thank these poets for their words and for letting me post their poems. I hope all of you have a very blessed Easter!
~Kimberly
Every sentence needs a beginning, but we should avoid certain introductory phrases. Consider both the effectiveness and necessity of the words you select. A sentence, especially the initial one, should start strong. A sentence opener is the enticing bait on your hook. A hook is your initial sentence and how you lure someone into your writing.
