Lazarus

WHEN JESUS CAME TO BETHANY
TO THE TOMB
OF HIS FRIEND
LAZARUS
HE CRIED

NO PLATITUDES
NO EASY SAYING
OF HIS BEING IN A BETTER PLACE
NO REMINDERS OF ETERNAL LIFE

HE CRIED
AS ONLY ONE WHO LOVED
AS DEEPLY AS HE LOVED
COULD CRY

HE CRIED

HE FELT THE DEEP
AND EVER WIDENING CHASM
OF SEPARATION

HE FELT THAT THE SOUL OF HIS FRIEND
WAS LIKE A SHIP LEAVING THE SHORE
SENDING BACK RIPPLES OF REMEMBRANCE
SENDING BACK ECHOES OF OLD CONVERSATIONS
SENDING THEM BACK WITH NO WAY TO ANSWER

PEACE WOULD COME LATER

BUT FOR THE INSTANT
THERE WAS PAIN
TEARS
THE GREAT UNKNOWING
AND TO NEED TO WEEP

BUT IN THE DESOLATION
OF THE MOMENT
HEARTFELT WITH LONELINESS
HE CRIED OUT
LAZARUS COME OUT

AND LAZARUS
CAME OUT
LIKE A SACK RACE RUNNER

AND JESUS
EYES SPARKLING
THOUGHT
LIKE ONE FRIEND
JOSHING ANOTHER

HOP TO IT


FRANK A VOLLMER