A Poem for Easter

Groves

By Sherrie Morrison

Tis midnight and on Olivet

The moon and stars are all that stare

Upon the sacred ground

Where Jesus prayed and wept.

This grove of trees - this sanctuary -

Where the Son of Man sought solace from the agony he faced,

Stands dark and still.

Gnarled, ancient trees with roots in hallowed soil,

Olive trees, Israel’s symbol of true light and life,

Raise their branches to the skies.

In fruiting season, these trees bear

The oil that will anoint and run down priestly beards.

This grove of trees,

This sanctuary where the Son of God

Surrendered to His Father’s will,

Now listens, quiet and calm.

Tis midday and on Golgotha

Soldiers and mourners hover ‘round and stare

Upon the condemned cross

Where Jesus bled and died.

This grove of beams - this gallery -

Where the Son of God sought his Father’s face in the agony he faced,

Stands dark and wild.

Rough, hand-hewn trees with crossbeams in the sky,

Killing trees, Rome’s symbol of barbaric justice served,

Raise those crossbeams to the skies.

These have no fruiting season, but one bears

The blood that will run down and wash away man’s sin.

This grove of three,

This gallery of death where the Son of God

Gave up His life to save those who believe,

Now trembles, grieved and torn.

Tis early dawn and in a grove of graves

Faithful followers now stoop and stare

Into the open tomb

Where Jesus had been laid.

This grove of graves - this gallery -

Where the risen Lord broke forth and conquered death,

Stands bright and calm.

Dark, haunting graves, devoid of branch or beam to raise,

Multiplying graves, a constant testimony to decay,

Expel their mounds of dust up to the skies.

In death’s dark season, these graves bear

The piteous tears anointing mourners’ beards.

This grove of graves,

This haunting place has lost its power of fear.

Beyond death’s reach, God’s Tree of Life 

Now beckons. Come! Rejoice!

Tis Easter Morn’

Faithful followers kneel and think

Upon the grace of God

Where sin’s dread debt was paid.

This grove of worshippers – this holy church- 

Where the Son of God now lives and reigns eternally,

Stands fast and free.