Lazarus Saturday

Lazarus Saturday

Lazarus Saturday

W.R. Bornholdt


I

Within that stony cowl
wrapped in myrrh chains
he keeps breath at bay
sleeps beyond voices  tears
heated interment  his blood
planted fast  mordant cement


grief shrieks
its saline rivulets  immeasurable
in the convulsed sunlight
the sisters
cannot bully the stone 
over his body  perfect hostesses 
prepare dinner for fifty
attentive ears
the stone faces inward
its ears silenced
makes its travel plans
no where slowly

II

the train to Bethany
makes all stops
the mute conductor
engaged in picking lint
off his tracks
announces with plicatured tongue
the fourteen stations

flicked pebbles bruise human backs
ninety-six hours pass by
in a glimpse and wink
it is our little secret
when the snail moves
it is always too late
stubbed toes  broken shells
the usual demoniacs
(filled to hell’s brim)
the endless queue
of broke  blind  limping
the carnival of Adam’s emission 

without a ticket
(the kiosk is closed)
he jumps the fence
the divide between stench
and strips of olibanum
a disheveled charism disembarks
gathers his bags  bearings
oriented to heaven
and the fetid waiting room
hurry, hurry
the blind can wait
a few days more
staring black
let the mourners read
the healing hands
words of warning
stoop step up

    III

when he arrives
his grief irrigates the field
fists pummel the air
his knees in prayer
implores the furrowed sarcophagus
and buries the unseeing
second-guessing clock watchers
at the tomb
he opens the Father’s ears
and begins the great ride-
room for one  space for all
the exit  the crowd clamors
the hungry hands strip
away mourning raiment

we stand  our squinting mouths
wide  gamble the death clothes
set apart  the winner will
launder this set  prepare
another hewn stone 

              IV

death’s silence will come again
at the feet of a bier
dislocated timber
hinged loosely on gaping thieves


W.R. Bornholdt
Poet

Wayne is a poet and retired bookseller. He has been published in The Penwood Review, the Pace Journal, and Vita Poetica. He holds degrees in philosophy and theological studies.  He resides in West Michigan with his wife and piles of unread books.  

Photography by Content Pixie