We never come to know
completely
never for sure
It appears
but it doesn't
The heart burned
but it grew chilly
Is it Him
He remains silent
Is it You
He disappears
There is just bread
hands and a gesture
The face always different
always a new face
The evening is drawing near
and the day bows
It's the time of rest
water wine bread
Why didn't you ask directly
didn't seize h
His legs
didn't hold His hands
didn't tie shadow to bench
We stand thus
the disciples
who didn't get to Emmaus
our arms heavy
with amazement
Was it Him
It was
For sure
Where
The night swept away the traces
Let us evermore quickly
carry to the others
the certainty of doubt-- Anna Kamienska (1920-1986), Polish Roman Catholic poet, children’s book author, translator and writer, from Astonishments: Selected Poems of Anna Kamiekanska, edited and translated by Grazyna Drabik and David Curzon
Image: photo from Washington National Cathedral
Lectionary Scripture: Luke 24:13-35, Easter 3A
And do you ask what I am speaking of
Although you know the whole tale of my heart;
Its longing and its loss, its hopeless love?
You walk beside me now and take my part
As though a stranger, one who doesn’t know
The pit of disappointment, the despair
The jolts and shudders of my letting go,
My aching for the one who isn’t there.
And yet you know my darkness from within,
My cry of dereliction is your own,
You bore the isolation of my sin
Alone, that I need never be alone.
Now you reveal the meaning of my story
That I, who burn with shame, might blaze with glory.
-- --Malcolm Guite, (1957- ) Anglican priest, poet, singer-songwriter, and philosopher, from Parable and Paradox.
Scripture reference: Luke 24:17 ‘He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast’. Easter 3A
We thought that everything was lost and gone,
Disaster on disaster overtook us
The night we left our Jesus all alone
And we were scattered, and our faith forsook us.
But oh that foul Friday proved far worse,
For we had hoped that he had been the one,
Till crucifixion proved he was a curse,
And on the cross our hopes were all undone.
Oh foolish foolish heart why do you grieve?
Here is good news and comfort to your soul:
Open your mind to scripture and believe
He bore the curse for you to make you whole
The living God was numbered with the dead
That He might bring you Life in broken bread.
-- --Malcolm Guite, (1957- ) Anglican priest, poet, singer-songwriter, and philosopher, from Parable and Paradox.
Scripture reference: Luke 24:25-26, Easter 3A
