Easter

A few thoughts I threw together as I celebrated Easter yesterday

I sat in church this Easter morning feeling exultant,

Full of  joy and peace.

I rejoiced at every “alleluia”

Thinking of the One whose death conquered death.

 

And I accepted the symbols of His body and blood

As He told us to do to remember Him,

Knowing I was worthy to do so only by His grace.

 

The choir, the organ, the brass, the bells,

All the glorious music

Warmed my heart, set it soaring.

 

Perhaps I’m better with words than some,

Yet I had none for this feeling

That didn’t seem old and trite.

Who would comprehend anyway?

People misunderstand His words so badly.

 

Yet I was overflowing with emotion

That I wanted to articulate

And I prayed that somehow I’d find a way.

 

Then the answer came to me:

“Just live the way He taught us,

Keeping love in mind above all.

You’ll need no words at all

For everyone to see Him in you.”

Author's Note

Faith and religion are a departure for me in my poetry (although not fiction) but an important part of my life, so I welcome opinions on this. It was a spur-of-the moment kind of thing...Any suggestions for changes? Is this worth leaving up?

Reviews

[MomzillaNC]

“Just live the way He taught us,
Keeping love in mind above all.
You’ll need no words at all
For everyone to see Him in you.”

If only we all would strive to live that way, to be true Easter people all year long.

[Jennie Baron]

I agree. Amen!

[MomzillaNC]

“May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord our strength and our Redeemer.”

[Kathy Van Kurin]

"Easter"
Jennie Baron,
How does one articulate the depths which are moved and sent flowing into life. Your own spirit is a signal tower which recieves the deep things of God meant only for you. God Almighty means for you to be loved. How do any of us articulate inner reality into outer words understood? Beautiful honest words you have shared. I liked it!
Blessings,
Kathy

[Jennie Baron]

Your lovely, lovely review of my Easter poem is a wonderful Christmas gift! Your words lift my spirit. I want to come up with a special Christmas poem now.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

You should! When the heart is moved it is time. It's almost Christmas and like the rest of life it just seems to move so fast. Bless ya Jennie and have fun!
Kathy

[Jennie Baron]

Blessings to you, too, for this wonderful season and for the New Year.

[Woolliza]

I really liked this poem, since Easter is my favorite holiday.

One line I would suggest revising or taking out entirely is "People misunderstand His words so badly." While this is a true statement, I feel it doesn't really fit with the rest of the poem. Maybe this phrase would be best explored in another poem?

[Jennie Baron]

Good point, I'll seriously consider that... and thanks again for reading.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

The answer to the ultimate question is both easy and hard… A great poem of spiritual enlightenment.

And as Savatage sang "So what can I tell you, life's the length of this play. Perhaps God gave the answers to those with nothing to say."

[Jennie Baron]

Can't ask for a much better review than "great"! I did feel a profound sense of enlightenment last Easter (my first Easter as a confirmed Episcopalian).

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

This was my first year as a Methodist and I actually wrote an Easter poem of enlightenment myself.

[Jennie Baron]

No kidding! I was a longtime Methodist and they're not that far apart. Did you publish that poem here?

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

Yes I did actually… I can send a read request if you wanna read it.
Funny I have gotten a few of my poems inspiration from church.

[Beccy]

It was a lovely and uplifting read, not just for this Sunday, but for every day.

Beccy.

[Jennie Baron]

Thanks for the kind word, Beccy! Much appreciated.

[Matching Socks]

I think you've captured this so beautifully Jennie.

[Jennie Baron]

I truly appreciate the kind word from someone who is such a wonderful poet in her own right. Thanks, Ana!

[Matching Socks]

You're welcome Jennie.

[Lyn Anderson]

I love this. Easter is the most important Christian holiday (contrary to popular belief it is not Christmas) and you have eloquently captured this here.

[Jennie Baron]

Glad you like it. Got enough good response that obviously I decided to leave it up. Easter is definitely the most important holiday.

[loverofpoetry7]

"Then the answer came to me:
“Just live the way He taught us,
Keeping love in mind above all.
You’ll need no words at all
For everyone to see Him in you.” I can really relate to this poem and I love it. I'm so glad you shared it. My son has autism and doesn't do well in crowds and loud noise so we haven't been to church in years. I miss it so much and you portrayed a very nice picture here. We do watch church on TV but it's not the same and I don't get do partake in communion. Thanks for giving me a little glimpse here of something that I miss so much.

[Jennie Baron]

You're very welcome, ma'am!

[Moonie]

This poem really celebrates the spirit of easter. I have actually never read a poem on easter before. Most people generally write about christmas or Halloween. The 3rd line of the first stanza is simply epic. "Thinking of the One whose death conquered death.".
I do agree with you, people have misunderstood His words so many times, which leads to their doubts in His very existence. Only recently, I met a woman on writer's café who compared gays to the evil serpent and wanted them to move to the pits of Australia( she referred to the country as the underworld) . She firmly believed that this was god's will. I abhor people who twist His words to carry out their own businesses.

I really enjoyed this poem. It speaks volumes to me. Thank you for this lovely poem, ma'am.

[Jennie Baron]

You are very welcome indeed, ma'am.

[Patricia]

This is very touching and I know what you mean. Faith is huge a concept but at the same time such a simple one that most just don't get. It is not a science, it is from within. When I take communion I cry every single time, it takes my breath away, my heart is full of warmth, the hymns wrap around me like warm blanket. It is beautiful and so hard to express so I think that is why it brings tears to my eyes, all that emotion has to work its way out somehow so I get teary eyed. Your poem brought all that emotion up, so you did something right with this piece. I love it Jennie! Excellent. :))

[Jennie Baron]

Much appreciated, Patricia! You express exactly what I was trying to and it's so gratifying when someone gets it. I also like to hear from someone who apparently has such faith. Thanks!

[Patricia]

You are welcome sweetie :)