Poetic paschal musings

As we enter deeper into this week's living memory of Christ's passover, I was stirred to remember in a form akin to poetry; though it is too unformed to be worthy of that name! For what it's worth...

Like a Dish Cast Down
In this world of shallow depths
what is fair to the eye, and clean
is held aloft in high esteem;
but what is broken, unpleasant to the eye
we shun, hide, judge worthily despised.
Thus God, to shatter such folly chose
to stoop lowly, from soaring height
downward into fragile womb enclosed
from whence arose laments, cries
labored into Judah's waning night.
Now see! be still and surely know
this Highest-made-low, love-crazed
to shatter our shackling chains
was bound, beaten, dazed;
led to the slaughter,
broken in a thousand ways;
Spirit gasping to breathe,
the Ancient of Days.
Love,
just and almighty Word
bloodied,
sullied,
spat on,
mocked;
crushed, pierced,
heartbeat no more...
silent death
as God slumped down to earth,
expended a final breath;
marred contours of clay,
Heart welling up, over
emptied into perfection;
icon of Triune life:
God from God,
One-shattered,
Substance wholly spilled
that an Other might Be.
For us:
broken, risen,
turned in ceaseless gaze
upon the Face
who ever-Begets Life;
pierced Hands outstretched still to earth
clasping the awestruck Grail
and breaking the living Bread;
super-Substantial food
that is our rising from the dead.