April 14–20 ❘ He Lives

He Lives

Jesus has felt his heart knock from within
after a long walk or a short sprint,
pulse thumping in bridge of nose
as ache spreads across forehead
from tense jaw and tired eyes.

He’s pressed fingertips
to sun-warmed surface of clay brick,
imprinting the rough,
uneven texture into memory,
a temporal anchor for the future.

He’s drunk down blue sky
on a hot, thirsty day
like well water from a pump
that gushes cold and cleansing
without constraint.

He’s thrown back a sudden laugh
while sitting at table with friends,
then spoken a few well-chosen words
to flood the room with unexpected
quiet. He’s lived

and felt and loved
all the things I also live for.

He still does.

• Read more of my poetry at www.facebook.com/latterdaysaintpoetry

• Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com