Category Archives: Devotional

The Slow Dawning Part 2: The Gardener (Easter Day)

Outside weeping, for this makes no sense, Dawn slowly clawing its way out of the sky, Mary’s name dropping from the stranger’s lips, Mary’s eyes blinking open at the sound, While Peter, in the background, runs home, confused.   Rabbouni! The disciple’s earnest, light-bulb cry, Arms wrapped around the one who had been lost; TheContinue reading “The Slow Dawning Part 2: The Gardener (Easter Day)”

The Slow Dawning Part 1: Linen Cloths (Easter Day)

They lie bedraggled in the tomb, alone, The one the women seek not here to find, Bandages of death with no-one to bind, No sting of death left for them to contain And the spices that they brought no more of use,   Only two men outside in fiery white And a surging in Mary’sContinue reading “The Slow Dawning Part 1: Linen Cloths (Easter Day)”

Nine Quatrains (Easter Vigil)

I. And so, the domes and waters in their place, He made His image-bearers shine His face. He looked on them and called them very good Who only trusted what they understood.   II. The domes thrown into disarray to flood The earth and turn the man of dust to mud. Yet one remains toContinue reading “Nine Quatrains (Easter Vigil)”

The Second Day (Holy Saturday)

Probably the first “liturgical” poem that I wrote was on Easter Saturday about six years ago. I had recently read Bruce Dawe’s marvellous “And a Good Friday was had by all” and, having been struck by the immediacy of his language and the power of his imagery, I felt moved to write something similar. IContinue reading “The Second Day (Holy Saturday)”

The Slowing Year (For John Keble)

My year-long poetry project, “The Swelling Year”, is drawing to a close and will finish shortly after the Easter period ends. Today’s poem signals something of a milestone in the project: the last of the “feast days” for significant Christians remembered in the Anglican calendar. Somewhat appropriately, this poem remembers John Keble, a man whoseContinue reading “The Slowing Year (For John Keble)”

The Soul’s Travail (Good Friday)

After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)   High and lifted up Astonishing the faithless many Kings with mouths agape yet shut And hearts with closed fists   Lifted high aboveContinue reading “The Soul’s Travail (Good Friday)”

Unblemished Lamb (Maundy Thursday)

Not all of you are clean, he said: A glance that spoke no judgment, though He saw us to the core. Instead, with all things under him, He wrapped a towel around his waist And knelt before our feet. But Peter, stubborn to the last, Declared, Lord, you can’t wash my feet! The servant wasContinue reading “Unblemished Lamb (Maundy Thursday)”

Children of Light (Tuesday in Holy Week)

           Arise, little ones. Though in your smallness you cannot see Beyond the faint horizon:   He comes, he comes, Across the seas, Bearing light upon his brow.   To those despised deeply, Abhorred by the world, He comes bearing folly, to weaken the wise;   He sweeps the vast coastlands,Continue reading “Children of Light (Tuesday in Holy Week)”

The Former Things (Monday in Holy Week)

        See –   He who stretched the heavens out with His hands And spread out the earth and all it contains, Whose breath fills our lungs with infinitude, Who beckons us in with His arms –   He sees the smouldering wick in the dark And the reed that has been bruisedContinue reading “The Former Things (Monday in Holy Week)”