Just this, for Holy Week . . .
Yes
I am going to start living
larger, looser—
stripped down
to my sapling self, leaning toward
that leafless tree Messiah loved
enough to die on.
Maybe its boughs sheltered him once,
from pelting rain,
spread shade like a cloak,
dropped one late fig, surprising his palm—
one small story uniting and
easing them both
at the end, on that hill like a skull.
My brow touches the earth.
Moved by hosannas, echoing
still, deep inside stones,
I rise. Then the tight turn,
lifting fingers, limbs,
my bird-soft hair—
all the thorns, delicately removed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
. . . be like the tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
—Jeremiah 17:8
“Yes,” from Where the Sky Opens, by Laurie Klein
Nancy Ruegg says
Laurie, you send my thoughts into corners I’ve never explored before: 1) What would it mean to strip down to my sapling self? What branches do I no longer need, so I can lean closer to my Messiah? 2) What if the cross WAS made from a tree Jesus had encountered before? Did he recognize it and remember? After all, as the Son of God he was aware of so much more than mere man. Did those memories offer him a modicum of comfort? 3) How might the meditation of long-ago Hosannas impact my worship today? Thank you, Laurie, for such thought-provoking reflections!
Laurie Klein says
Nancy, you are so welcome. You phrase these questions powerfully. The one that really strikes me today is your second question: “What branches do I no longer need, so I can lean closer to my Messiah?” I want to sit quietly with this one until, having gained a truer sense of this space I currently find myself in, I am able to choose wholeheartedly and wisely for days ahead. So I say thank you as well!
April Yamasaki says
Wonderfully said – thank you!
Laurie Klein says
April, so lovely to see you here. Thank you for leaving a comment! Blessings on your Holy Week!
Laurie Klein says
Thank you, April! Blessings on you as lead your people in Holy Week remembrance and celebration, and work on the new book too!
Carol Wilson says
Leaning toward that leaflesd tree with you.
Thank you for letting us in on your expression of love for our Savior.
Laurie Klein says
Carol, I love that sense of shared “lean.” Thank you for joining me! Blessings on your Holy Week observance and Easter celebration.
Deanna Bax says
Daily, may I be like that tree.
Laurie Klein says
Oh, Amen, Deanna, yes!
April Yamasaki says
A beautiful poem, wonderfully said – thank you!
Laurie Klein says
Thank you so much, April! Hope your Easter was joyous!
acia Dixon says
Yes! ❤
Laurie Klein says
What better response than another “yes”!
Jody Lee Collins says
That is one of my favorite poems in your book. And that sky mirror photo? Remarkable!
Laurie Klein says
Jody, so glad you like the poem and photo. I took that shot at Longmire, WA. The water percolates there due to the low grade volcanic activity of Rainier. It always wows me.