Easter Poem by Adrian Taheny

Easter ceremonies greeted with quiet resignation.
Three days of never ending prayer and devotion,
And optional visitation periods to keep company
With the Blessed Sacrament, as he awaits his resurrection.
Good Friday at three, and it's time for the show to begin.


This is the busy season for the parish priest who
Milks our devotion with his word of God and we all
Feel equally crucified by the time we leave the church.
And then nothing to do for young and old. Pubs closed
While Charlton Heston re-lives it all over again on TV.


Moses parts the waters and we all sit around, bored
Until our saviour comes and says it's time for the rosary.
The trimmins are longer than ever and we drink milk
And eat buns before bedding down for the night.


Tomorrow is another holy day and the Saturday night
Is a great climax in the celibate cycle of our local priest.
No cigarette to follow, but Sunday masses are subdued
And relaxed and we are cleansed and ready for
Another year. Children go about with chocolate faces
And the Lenten fast faces a frenzied feast.


As alter boys we fought over who would carry the thurable
And who would put the humeral veil on the hero’s back.
We all wanted to carry the lighted candle around the church
And lead the parade. God be with the days!