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Triduum / Haec Dies

 'Triduum' is Latin for 'three days'. Ecclesiastically, it refers to the three days of Jesus' arrest and death running up to Easter Sunday, covering the events of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday, and the liminal time of Holy Saturday when Jesus is dead. 'Haec Dies' means 'This is the day', and it is often used to refer to Easter Sunday itself ('This is the day that the Lord has made', from Psalm 118, which is often recited on Easter Sunday). Triduum Feria Quinta  Ante diem festum Paschae, sciens Jesus quia venit hora ejus ut transeat ex hoc mundo ad Patrem. I ran this morning.  Lord, have mercy — Along the path and round the field  that overlooks faraway green hills Then back up towards the church and down, and down, and through the daffodils Sliding on mud — my attempt to avoid  crushing purple hyacinths I traced the grass and my circling path around the garden labyrinth Christ have mercy — The mud s...
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Essence

Essence Aleph (the First) I am made of stories. Crafted and freely told, borrowed and begrudging sold I am the speech of saints and sinners I am the words your forebears said  I am tales told by the winners  I am the whispers of the dead   A misremembered hazy night  A joke shared between kin and kith A mystery brought into light  People now consigned to myth  Hebraic mountains and Mithraic caves Sealed tombs and open graves  Stories of sweet summers, and epic plays   The first, the last, the end of days. Beth (the Second) I am made of songs. To lure to bed and lull goodnight  Swapped for suppers To bring the light The radio from a passing car  Sea-shanties and hymns of praise  The faintest beating of a heart  Last year's latest dance-hall craze  Football chants and infants' cries The pealing and the toll of bells Faltered prayers that fail to rise  The chamber-choir inside a shell  The notes that tarry...
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