National Poetry Month--Easter Vigil

(photo by Simon Lo http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Candlelight_Vigil_for_June_4_Massacre_2007_-_002.JPG)


Easter Vigil, also called Holy Saturday, is a time of waiting. Jesus' disciples waited in fear and suspense. Jesus was crucified--would they be next? Jesus said he would return, but how could that be? The Psalmist foreshadowed this wait and encourages in his poetry:

Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Read the entire Psalm here.

Boris Pasternak, best known for writing Dr. Zhivago, ends his poem "In Holy Week":

At midnight man and beast fall dumb
On hearing springtime's revelation:
Once weather clears, then just as soon
Can death itself be overcome
By the power of Resurrection.

Read the whole poem and others here.


(photo by Jeffrey Maxwell http://www.world66.com/southamerica/peru/lima/lib/gallery/showimage?pic=southamerica/peru/lima/in_line_waiting_fo)

We spend much of our lives waiting--waiting to be old enough to drive, to vote. Waiting to find the right mate, job, dwelling. Waiting for spring, vacation, supper. Or simply waiting in line at the store, the bank, the theater, the doctor's office.

The poem "I am Waiting" tells what Lawrence Ferlinghetti is waiting for.

What are you waiting for?