Holy Week 1999

Holy Week by Stephen Brown

1. 'Holy week'
   the name we use
   as if to sanitise the shame
   of deep disdain,
   by calling it a worthy name:
   the noblest we could choose.
2. 'Holy week'
   a ritual time
   in measured steps of liturgy
   of "We urge thee..."
   in prayers from earnest clergy
   in careful, crafted rhyme.
3. 'Holy week'
   a separateness
   from smoothly spoken platitudes
   and gratitudes
   no room for easy attitudes
   to heal this deep distress.
4. 'Holy week'
   a watershed
   where love comes face to face with fear
   and hate is near
   and how we turn to sin is clear
   and yet for us Christ bled.
5. 'Holy week'
   the end, the start:
   the firmly planted cursed Cross
   a sign of loss
   the naked pain an end to gloss
   in solitude apart.
6. 'Holy week'
   the end, the start:
   the Cross is bare, the tomb is void
   and death destroyed
   and resurrection hope deployed
   for each repentant heart.