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THE MERCY OF LAZARUS, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

"The Mercy of Lazarus" by Stephen Dobyns presents a compelling and humanized take on the biblical story of Lazarus, offering a perspective on the aftermath of his miraculous resurrection. The poem delves into the internal conflicts and pressures Lazarus might have faced upon being restored to life—a life that, as Dobyns illustrates, is filled with its own burdens and challenges.

The opening lines immediately establish a tone of reluctance and disillusionment. Dobyns describes Lazarus’s resurrection not as a joyous occasion, but as a "dispirited awakening," akin to being woken by an alarm in the early hours of the morning. This comparison to a rude and abrupt interruption rather than a gentle awakening sets the stage for a narrative that challenges traditional perceptions of miracles as unequivocal blessings.

Lazarus's resurrection is depicted as an encumbrance, a "yoke" to be picked up again. The daily drudgery of life, from paying bills to fixing the roof, juxtaposes the divine miracle with the banalities of human existence. There is a palpable sense of exasperation in being pulled back into the world with its never-ending problems, its "bad wages, long hours." Dobyns effectively conveys the idea that the miracle of coming back to life is also a return to the often harsh realities of living.

The poem then addresses the expectations placed upon Lazarus by the people and by the narrative of the miracle itself. The "crowd pushes forward, demanding to hear your cries of thanks." This line suggests that Lazarus is not free to experience his resurrection in his own way; rather, he is compelled to perform gratitude for the public, to validate their beliefs and the miracle they have witnessed. His personal desires are subsumed by the collective need for affirmation of faith.

Dobyns introduces the concept of deceit as a necessity for the maintenance of belief. Lazarus's compliance—his "laugh and eager shout, the out-stretched arms"—is a performance required to uphold the narrative of the miracle. If Lazarus were to retreat back into his tomb, he would not only be rejecting the miracle but also destroying the hope it engendered in others. The poem implies that Lazarus's continued participation in the spectacle of his own resurrection is a form of mercy, not for himself, but for those whose faith relies on the tangible evidence of the divine act.

The use of the word "deceit" is particularly poignant, indicating that the true feelings of Lazarus are at odds with the joyous return to life that others expect to see. There is a tragic irony in the notion that Lazarus must deceive in order to be the proof of a divine truth.

"The Mercy of Lazarus" is a contemplation of the complexities and unintended consequences of miracles. Dobyns skillfully explores the burden of being a living testament to divine intervention and the inherent conflict between individual experience and communal expectation. Through the figure of Lazarus, the poem invites readers to consider the weight of miracles on those they are performed upon and the paradoxes that can arise when the divine intersects with the mundanely human.


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