@3(Poco Sostenuto)@1 The dead Christ starts, the shadows lift, the light Lengthens across the Galilean's face; Death flees before impetuous hosts that chase With swords of sunshine and white spears to smite Grim wraiths of agonies and lingering sight Of scarred Golgotha in divine disgrace. The light beats swift and swifter, and the space Stirs with the passion of immortal might. @3(Allegretto)@1 The dead Christ arises; the grave is defeated; the stone Is rolled away by the angels. An Easter pæan! The air is a tumult of tremulous wonderings. The sweet winds are weighted with spirits from Paradise flown. On one mighty billow of song the strong Galilean Moves into the light and the rapture and flutter of wings. @3(Presto)@1 Waking Easter lilies lift their eyes To the weeping eyes of Magdalene; Sounds, bewildering, agitate between Earth and sky, and all things seem to rise. Mystery casts off its dark disguise, Life and power leap from the Nazarene; Earth and sky are filled with radiant sheen, Flash of wings and surge of Paradise. @3(Finale: Allegro con brio)@1 Heaven is emptied of angels; the jubilant legions, Wild with tumultuous rapture and breathless despair, Whirling and swirling, encircle with song and with laughter. Strong with the infinite strength to the infinite regions, Rises the Crucified, swift on the tides of the air, Drawing the worshipping ages in ecstasy after. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...COLORS by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE BIRDS OF VIETNAM by HAYDEN CARRUTH FRAGMENTARY BLUE by ROBERT FROST FRAGMENTS WRITTEN WHILE TRAVELING...A MIDWESTERN HEAT WAVE by JAMES GALVIN BENEDICTION by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON LIKE A BULRUSH by MARIANNE MOORE GOOD-BYE DOROTHY GAYLE: THE ROAD TO BUFFALO by KAREN SWENSON |