Deliverance: An Easter Poem

The Harrowing of Hell. Fresco, by Fra Angelico, c. 1430s

I am not a poet. In fact, I’m seldom moved to write verses. I know nothing about the technical side of poetry — metre, and all that. Occasionally, when the fit takes me, I scribble down a few faltering lines.

A few days ago, a chance conversation with a friend about Holy Saturday reminded me of a poem I had written a couple years ago about the Harrowing of Hell. It was for a proposed poetry anthology about the Catholic liturgical year that never came to fruition. I had forgotten all about it.

Here it is. I hope you enjoy it.

Deliverance

Millennia of waiting,
No rest from my remorse,
No light from sun or moon or star
To light my aimless course.

Long ages have I wandered,
In the regions of the dead;
Among the shades of mortal men
An endless circuit tread.

Through murk and shadows
Journeying with my forsaken kin,
An army of descendants;
The children of my sin.

The memory is clear to me:
Among the verdant leaves,
A wicked voice which whispered
Of wonders that could be.

“Dominion will be yours,” it said,
“Only stretch out your hand,
And seize within your grasp
What you could rightfully demand.”

If I had thought a moment then,
Whose was the cunning voice
I might have saved the race of men
The anguish of my choice.

From those who are but lately come
Wild rumors have I heard;
They say the hour hastens
Of the Triumph of the Word.

For all these things I dare not hope,
So long have I here dwelled;
To hearken to these sayings
I would not my heart compel.

I perceive a sudden stillness
As before the lightning falls,
And in my heart I seem to hear
A mighty trumpet call.

Is this the time, the moment
Which of old was told to me?
When all will be set right
And I shall live eternally?

A kindly presence comes to me 
At once I do recall
Who walked with me at evening-time:
My God, my Lord, my All!

At his feet I fall at once,
A joyful shout I cry.
He lifts me up and speaks my name:
“O Adam, it is I.”

© 2024 Thomas J. Salerno

Happy Easter. Christ is Risen!