Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, RHYME FOR HOLY SATURDAY, by JAMES MONAHAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RHYME FOR HOLY SATURDAY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: This morning father blake / will bless us all
Last Line: Will bless us all.
Subject(s): Clergy; Easter; Holidays; Religion; Worship; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops; The Resurrection; Theology


THIS morning Father Blake
will bless us all,
the stairs, the maids, the almond cake,
the antlers in the hall.
Other sinners may
choose mighty Easter Day,
with all its panoply
of candlelight and choir.
I would not so aspire.
Crown enough for me
is this, the vigil — when the altar
is lit with flowers again,
when Lenten vows do not yet falter,
when grievous purple that has lain
so bleakly on each statue's face
comes down to show the grace
of laundered haloes worn by saints,
and church, which was a penance-place,
becomes Spring's messenger.
The smell of paints,
dust flying, carpets out to air,
boards scrubbed, bright brass and sticky varnish
and work of women everywhere —
to-day's home-relics will not tarnish
though I am bad and old.
Though I am bad and far
they will be as they are,
like fragments from a robe of gold,
or like the small birds echoing
hosannas that angelic trumpets ring.
To-day the buds awake
and from the orchard pigeons call.
This morning Father Blake
will bless us all.





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