Above: The Original Text
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Rush not into Easter;
let Jesus remain dead
liturgically for
slightly longer. He said
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that he would rise again–
as he did so long ago.
On him our hopes we pin–
and salvation also.
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Easter will arrive on
schedule quite soon enough.
Until then think upon
his death painful and rough.
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Then, when Easter is here,
rejoice spiritually
and observe and adhere
to the season gladly,
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keeping Easter fifty
days–through Pentecost–
and marking time holy,
grateful for its high cost.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
APRIL 19, 2014 COMMON ERA
HOLY SATURDAY, YEAR A
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Postmarked April 19, 1924
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Postmarked September 1, 1912
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Postmarked April 9, 1911
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Postmarked March 25, 1910
Image Source = Kenneth Randolph Taylor
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Postmarked March 21, 1910
Above: Easter Vigil, St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia, March 30, 2013
Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta
(https://plus.google.com/photos/114749828757741527421/albums/5861636071859841105/5861631935248085218?banner=pwa&pid=5861631935248085218&oid=114749828757741527421)
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Before the early day-dawn
Pushed back night’s sable pall,
The women, worn with weeping,
Came past the city’s wall.
Bereft and broken-hearted,
From their eyes sleep had fled,
And they could wait no longer
T’anoint their precious dead.
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With fragrant spices laden
They hasten toward the tomb
Forgetting in their eagerness
The guard and seal of Rome,
But one, at last, remembers–
“O, who shall roll away
The stone?” she cries. The others
Gaze at her in disarray.
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But still they hasten onward,
Search knowing why they do–
Not one, nor all, could move it,
Rome’s seal forbade them, too.
In morning’s first faint glimmer
They reach their journey’s end,
And lo, the tomb is empty!
Oh where, where is their Friend?
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While stunned and terror-stricken
They stand in helpless grief,
A messenger from heaven
Brings to their hearts’ relief.
He said, “Fear not. Why seek ye
The living ‘mongst the dead?
Your Lord’s not here, but risen,
Even as He hath said
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“Go ye: tell his disciples
He goeth on before,
And if they will not follow,
They’ll find their Lord once more.”
We, too, may claim the message
To them by angels given–
We’ll find Him if we follow:
Here, first, and then in heaven.
NELLIE SEGUIN FOX BARRETT
