Robin Ford, Easter 2020

On this sunny Easter morning
We take care to heed the warning.
If we are to beat the virus
Separation rules require us
(Should we walk along the street):
“Keep away from those you meet”.
 
Something makes us stop and ponder
“What is happening up yonder?”
It is Easter eggs that beckon.
Chocolate ones – a score I’d reckon.
Kids don’t buy them, parents pay
Kids consume them in a day.
Kids don’t get them willy nilly
Kids must find them (is this silly?)
Parents take enormous care
Putting eggs in places where
Kids will find them, though excited
In the end they are delighted.
 
Though this story’s much the same
As last year, it is a shame
That we’re under strict instructions
(if you don’t want any ructions):
“Keep your distance from all others:
Sisters, grand kids, grand kids’ mothers: 
Keep your car trips very small
(If you take car trips at all.):
Don’t go camping by the sea:
No group hospitality:”
Churches empty, (more or less):
Show what’s needed for success.
Self deny and then repent,
Though its Easter, feels like Lent,
In our houses we must stay
‘Til the virus fades away.
 
 When we come to Easter eve
Daybreak brings us a reprieve.
Easter is a well-known story –
Christ from virgin birth to glory.
In between are times of sorrow,
‘Til his death, but joy to follow.
In the story, women say
“We saw Jesus here today.”
Men said “‘fooee’ he has died
We know he’s been crucified.”
In the end, the story ran,
He arose, as was the plan,
And a new religion started
Bringing joy to the down-hearted.
 
Like the eggs that children found,
Lying hidden on the ground,
Joy is hidden where we might
Find it (though we’ve had a fright).
It might help us shift our thoughts
To ‘We’d like’; from Lenten ‘oughts’.
 
When the time comes for relaxing
These restrictions that are taxing,
We will need, it seems me,
Celebrations once we’re free
Free to leave our lock-down prison.
Just like Easter “Christ is risen!”