Poem March 28, 1970 Issue

"AS IT BEGAN TO DAWN . . ."

Matthew 28:1

Gerald Stanwell

"As it began to dawn ..."
Matthew's words in brief report
of resurrected life—
barrier broken for a burdened world . . .a barrier of hate, with all its spleen,
set to desolate a rich reprieve
from misery. Few had ever seen
or yet had cogent vision to believe
such launching forth.
Then, in midst of shame—
at darkest hour, he crucified—it came.

Beyond death's door its warm release was felt,
saints unhindered by their riven graves
went into the city. Soldiers glimpsed,
beyond imperial posturing, what saves
from living death.

The temple's opaque veil
was rent asunder. Even the flagrant tower
of arrogance and Roman self-esteem
trembled in the presence of a power
that pierced through hate, seeing only light
"as it began to dawn toward the first
day of the week." "As it began," the dream
of "no return" was shattered by the might
of Love, as last entanglement of stone
rolled back before a thought, angelic one.