My friend spent Easter Vigil in a hospital emergency room everal years ago.
Some Christian communities hold a vigil for Easter after nightfall on Holy Saturday. The service begins with a fire outdoors and a procession into a church sanctuary devoid of light. The service celebrates the resurrection of Jesus by igniting light in the darkness.
My friend insisted that even in that emergency room, resurrection arrived. Human time and timing do not determine God’s time, she said. Resurrection comes.
ready or not
“come out
come out
wherever you are”
they hid among the gravestones
she and her friends
whispers
hushed up giggles
hiding
from one seeking
“come out
come out
wherever you are”
tulips and daffodils
buried
among winter tree roots
hiding
from spring sun seeking
“come out
come out
wherever you are”
they found themselves
in the emergency room
during easter vigil
among starch-weary scrubs
hallways crammed with
wails
sobs
hushed up corner conversations
no place to hide
and yet
resurrection
seeking
“ready or not
here i come”
Remembering my friend and colleague, Gail R. O’Day.
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