There is something so soothing to the soul in the sounds of a stream—I sat for quite some time last Monday beside this little waterfall at Prince William Forest Park, almost hypnotized by the sounds of the rushing water.
It has been a rather quiet, contemplative Holy Week for me this year, as we have prepared to celebrate our second Easter under pandemic restrictions. Normally I attend an outdoors Easter sunrise service on Easter morning, but the Episcopal church collaboration of which I am a part instead held a Great Vigil service last night.
When I woke up this Easter morning, it was still dark and I read through all four Gospel accounts of the resurrection right in a row, the first time I have ever done that. I was struck by the differences in the details that each writer chose to include. As the skies began to lighten, I went out on my little outdoor deck that faces to the east and sang aloud three of my favorite Easter songs, unconcerned that early morning runners or dog walkers might hear me singing.
For many of us, this has been had a long, troubling year. I have found comfort and reassurance in these words from John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
I wish a happy Easter to those of you who are celebrating this glorious holy day and a blessed weekend to all of you.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Very soothing alliteration in your opening. 🙂 I wish I was a little birdie overhearing those morning hymns. 😍 Happy Easter, dear Mike. 💛
Thanks, Laura. The birds were definitely out and singing too. I figured that one of my poet friends would notice the alliteration of my opening sentence–lots of sibilant sounds. 🙂
Quite a hook that immediately reeled me in. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this Mike. Happy Easter to you as well!
Happy Easter, Mike! Sometimes private observances are more meaningful, God hears all. ❤
Happy Easter, Mike.
Easter blessing to you, Mike.
Happy Easter Mike 🙂
Happy Easter Sibilant Alliterative Mike!
Thanks, Peter. Happy Easter to you as well. I knew that poets would immediately notice the alliterative sibilants–so sorry. 🙂
Happy Easter Mike!
Thanks, Reed. I hope that your Easter was a happy one too.
You’re blessed with Easter and spring together which I confess I’m rather envious of! Happy Easter!
Thanks, Liz. I hope you had a wonderful Easter too. For me, Easter has always been a time to celebrate new life, which fits in well with the coming of spring in our hemisphere.
Exactly! Not much in the way of new life at Easter here but we visited Maple Glen Garden yesterday and I got photos of black swan parents with their young fluffy family of cygnets! So I was over the moon about that 😀
Happy Easter, Mike!
Thanks, Patty Anne.