A Poem for the Easter Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter

Triduum—But Who Can Believe in Resurrection?

Yes, Holy Thursday we understand;

Have shared communion, broken bread,

Sipped wine in sacred union with lovers, friends, and family.

And yes, Good Friday, we understand too well.

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

We have uttered that ourselves,

Have known too much of sorrow, suffering, and death.

But Easter? Resurrection?

We know it every March when the crocus spring miraculously

From the frozen earth; when our frozen souls

Recover after heartbreak; when our bodies

Heal after illness. We know resurrection well,

It is deep in the marrow,

Will be a wonderful surprise—

Not totally unexpected.

[Bob Coughlin / Holy Thursday 2014]