Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Noel Rowe

5. Resurrection

5. Resurrection

5. Resurrection

Yes, Simeon, there was sorrow, but much fun
too, when he set about making contradiction.

I should have known: for when the glorias first were sung,
it was to celebrate my son, born among the dung.

Ever since, I’ve been hearing heaven’s laughter.
Cana’s newly-weds, absorbed in what was coming after,

did not even notice how the water changed its mind.
The Pharisees got a holy shock as a man born blind

told them if they didn’t get a hold on their desires,
so taken up with Christ, they’d land themselves among his followers.

Sacred irreverence. It is a gift to those found free
in  the spirit. Even Zaccheus found it in himself, up a tree,

and Lazarus, sauntering around in his shroud.
There was a time too when, expecting stones, a crowd

got instead some bread and fish. I heard a thief steal
his way back to paradise. The structure of the real

is mercy. Having seen so many reversals,
I should have known he would test his muscles

on  the stone, and walk away from the dazed
grave, leaving its mouth open and amazed.


From Magnificat
Close

5. Resurrection

Yes, Simeon, there was sorrow, but much fun
too, when he set about making contradiction.

I should have known: for when the glorias first were sung,
it was to celebrate my son, born among the dung.

Ever since, I’ve been hearing heaven’s laughter.
Cana’s newly-weds, absorbed in what was coming after,

did not even notice how the water changed its mind.
The Pharisees got a holy shock as a man born blind

told them if they didn’t get a hold on their desires,
so taken up with Christ, they’d land themselves among his followers.

Sacred irreverence. It is a gift to those found free
in  the spirit. Even Zaccheus found it in himself, up a tree,

and Lazarus, sauntering around in his shroud.
There was a time too when, expecting stones, a crowd

got instead some bread and fish. I heard a thief steal
his way back to paradise. The structure of the real

is mercy. Having seen so many reversals,
I should have known he would test his muscles

on  the stone, and walk away from the dazed
grave, leaving its mouth open and amazed.


From Magnificat

5. Resurrection

Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Versopolis
J.E. Jurriaanse
Gefinancierd door de Europese Unie
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Stichting Verzameling van Wijngaarden-Boot
Veerhuis
VDM
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