Easter in a Warmer Clime

I’M USED TO EASTER IN A COLD CLIMATE
WHERE SNOW
OR THREATS OF SNOW
ARE IMMINENT

WHERE THE LAKE IF NOT FROZEN
IS BROKEN INTO ICY SLUDGE
THAT SOUNDS LIKE BELLS
AS IT BEATS AGAINST THE SHORE

AND GREENERY
IF IT HAS VENTURED FORTH
IS OFTEN BURNED BY FROST

BUT EASTER
HERE IN THE SOUTH
IS VIBRANT AND ALIVE
EVERYTHING IS IN BLOOM




IF WEATHER
SHOULD MIRROR THE MOOD
WOULD NOT GOOD FRIDAY
BE BETTER CELEBRATED
IN WINTER
WHEN THE COLDNESS
OF OUR HEARTS
FORCED HIM TO DIE

WHEN THE BLOOD HE SHED
WAS LIKE ICICLES DRIPPING

BUT WE CELEBRATE EASTER
WITH AN EXUBERANCE
I THINK HE WOULD HAVE FOUND
EMBARRASSING

IN EARLY MORNING
BEFORE THE BIRDS SANG
THE STONE ROLLED AWAY
AND HE WAS GONE

AND LIKE A SEED
THAT HAD LAIN
UNDER THE SNOW
BLOSSOMED
AND THE HARVEST WAS BEGUN


FRANK A VOLLMER