We bend words thin and pale
at their points of flexion,
our forearms shaking,
but no filigree makes talk
of chrysalides and butterflies
grain and wheat emerge
triumphant from oral caverns
as the metaphor with shoulders
broad enough to carry us across
the chasm from death to life.
We turn instead to exclamation–
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Alleluia!

David M. Frye
April 12, 2009
Denton, Neb.