Strewn across the winding country lane
Brilliant in their two-dimensioned constellation
White petals flung with solemn abandon, yet
Each one arranged as if with greatest care.
As if a cruciverbalist’s pencil had drawn them
Perfect in their orthographic rank and file
Into the over-arching pattern of a cross:
A beam along the Way, two arms athwart.

Was this how the City that killed the prophets
Welcomed Him who spread His wings,
Not so to fly away; though He could have called
Twelve legions of angels, to strew the dead
From pale Gehenna to the Temple’s lofty heights.
But as a hen gathers her chicks, and draws them warm
Under the shadow of her wings, till night has gone
And all is made anew at dawn’s first light.

“Hosanna” is the whisper in the throaty wind-
What did it mean when all the people saw
His glory humble, and mounted on a donkey?
Knowing the treachery of their faithless shouts,
Coming to the Daughter of Zion as her King,
As a funeral March: In like the Lion of Judah
And out like a Lamb led to the slaughter;
The palm branches trampled in tragic beauty.

“Barabbas” is the mutter in the angry wind-
When the depths of betrayal have been shown
And hearts unveiled, the sinless Savior is led
To suffer and die for His own, who knew Him not.
Crying out to His Father, offering up His spirit;
His two arms spread wide to open the Way.
What Way is this, that we might walk it? Is it strewn
With pure white petals from the weeping Tree of Life?

No pathway there is in Law or License we might find,
That we can journey on to find eternal worth
Before the throne of that consuming Fire
Who is the God of Ages. Worthy is the Lamb
Who was slain, that the kingdoms of this world
Are become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ!
Our hearts are strewn before You, asters of purest white,
That we who sleep may wake to Life eternal. Lord, Amen.

.

Jeremy Vogan
Easter Sunday, 2024
Photo Credit: Cherry Blossoms, Michael Mullooly, 2021

Author: Jeremy Vogan

My name is Jeremy Vogan. I live in Staunton, VA with my wife and four kids. I love to write, and seek to honestly explore the intellectual and emotional implications of following Jesus as a deeply broken person in a twisted, cruel world that is full of veiled beauty and meaning. Writing is part of how I faithfully look for Jesus Christ to someday make all things new. I'd enjoy hearing your feedback! JV