Easter
announces itself
under the cover of darkness
a starlit night
animals rustling in the forests
owls keeping sentry in the trees.
Easter
arises with the sun
the small, slow footsteps of women
carrying tears and burdens
cradling lost hope
wondering what could have been.
Easter
opens to an empty tomb
a discarded blanket
mixed with blood and tears
tossed aside.
Easter
runs with good news
declares to all who will listen
shouts to the heavens
proclaims the goodness of creation.
Easter
is like the sparkling of water in shades of blue and green
the dance of green grass
the opening of crocus flowers
the sound of a frog’s chorus.
Easter
reaches from the emptiness
to find our longing
desires
hopes
and pulls us through
the depths of loss
grief
and death.
Easter
shows us
our lives
found
in God.
Kimberly Knowle-Zeller is an ordained ELCA pastor, mother of two, and spouse of an ELCA pastor. She lives with her family in Cole Camp, MO. You can read more at her website, follow her work on Facebook, or sign up for her monthly newsletter.