Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, RESURGAM, by JOHN RICHARD MORELAND


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RESURGAM, by                    
First Line: It happened on an april day
Last Line: Christ rose upon an april day!
Subject(s): Ascension Day


It happened on an April day,
Bounded by skies so blue and still,
And olive trees all hushed and gray,
They led One up a skull-shaped hill
Followed by a crowd whose piercing cry,
Was, "Crucify!"

It happened on an April morn,
They nailed a Man upon a tree
Whose head was circled with sharp thorn,
Lifted Him high that all might see
His agony, His heaving breath,
His awful death.

It happened on an April eve --
The air was cut by one sharp cry
That wine nor gall could not relieve:
"Eli . . . lama . . . Sabachthani" . . .
Then lightning, thunder crack on crack,
The sun was black.

It happened on an April day . . .
They tombed a Man (the crowd had fled)
Sealed it; and set a watch that way
To flout His words; to prove Him dead;
And show Himself He could not save
From the dark grave.

It happened on an April day . . .
A tremor shook the paling gloom,
A white flame tore the door away,
Life came victor from the tomb.
Love cannot die, nor truth betray . . .
Christ rose upon an April day!





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