A SONG FOR THE TOMB
Teresa Morgan Ages before Jerusalem was founded I was formed for this day. God said, shall these sea bones live? I will sculpt me a tomb: a lime white chamber fit for a king. I was ready when they brought him in: bloody and broken, like a king from his last battle. Dusk was falling. They hurried, careful. So careful. They were brittle with pain. They straightened him (legs, arms, head) in the niche; stopped my mouth with a rock, and crept away. We were quiet together. He slept inside me. I cradled him, like a child unborn. Outside, Earth shuddered; the sun failed; stars shot like bolts Through warring heavens. I kept him safe. til he began to stir like the child whose time has come. The deep places of creation whispered, Let there be light! A mighty spasm shook the stone. I gaped. He rose For a moment he stood facing the dawn, then he was gone. Later there would be angels, blazing-eyed and docile, folding linen bandages. There would be men and women, storms of grieving suddenly stilled. But first, as the sun rose, there was just the light and silence. A cave empty and a world full of promises fulfilled. (from The Journey to Jerusalem by John Pritchard, pg. 123) Comments are closed.
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