Dawn on Us Risen Christ
Easter Day
How we long for the coming of some Easter dawn
where the cross and the tomb do not have the last word,
where no children lie dead amidst bomb shattered stone
and where mercy can rise despite power grown absurd.
The false trappings of empire have long bit the dust
but the wanna-be emperors still hold their sway.
They still trample the innocent under their boots
and they crucify those who would show a new way.
Loving God, topple mightiness, lift up the poor!
Risen Christ, speak our names in the garden of Earth!
Healer, raise those now deadened by rantings of power!
Teacher, show us how gentleness guides us to birth!
O Lord, sometimes our prayers seem mere self-soothing words
and our set forms of worship familiar at best.
Let the Spirit breathe life into faith’s drying bones,
inspiration to waken a world so distressed!
Lead us out to your dawn after this grieving night!
In our minds’ gaping tombs let our tears turn to praise,
for creation is fashioned so death turns to life
and the bleakest of nights might bring brightest of days.
Barbara Messner 31/03/2026
Barb, poet priest 