Beyond the fragrant lilies
and hydrangeas crowding the chancel,
beyond the festive Easter bonnets still
occasionally scattered bright across the pews,
beyond the chocolate eggs, marshmallow
chicks and bunnies, beyond this entire appealing
world of charming things to see, of tasty things
to eat, there can be found, by faithful seekers,
two simple sticks, pieces of wood which,
held together crosswise, hold a universe
within their outstretched arms,
which held together hold
both past and future fast beside
a broken loaf, a shared cup,
a shattered empty tomb.
