Poems for Lent

These four poems were written by Colm Lavelle SJ. The first two are in keeping with Lent. The third is on the Eucharist (compare Phil 2, 5-11). The final poem strives to capture the experience of the tomb.

I.

Life
doubt
without
Christ
is light
within
sin
dismiss
forever
bliss
abyss
avoid
God
o’erjoyed.

II.

I come
and search
all round
for water
in a dry stream
slowly flowing
from a distant hill
that lies
beneath
the’ sky
flowers grow
and birds sing
high
above this ground
which seems quite dry.

III.

You live
rise
bread
warmed
in life’s dark chimney
breath
whisper of light
that comes
drifting to the sky
from warmth
to night
spread
in search of dawn
awake
bright smoke
the day becomes
and is
I am.

IV.

Cold body
lie still
and breathe no more
this breath
has passed
into the night
and darkness stirs disturbed
in depths
no body’s breath
has touched before
cold body
lie still
longer
dark and real
death dark depths
hopes dismayed of those who say
today
cold body
lie longer
God’s breath
breathes stronger
in shattered vessels
burnt clay pots are bright
at death’s dark sight
still body
you stir the stone
death dark
light
you stir alone.