by Jeffrey Essmann

As Jesus walked along the road
To Bethany he never showed
The twelve a sign that he was brave
Or soon the world entire to save,
No hint of miracle bestowed.

His thoughts with sadness to’ed and fro’ed
On Lazarus’s new abode:
Four days already in his grave
As Jesus walked.

The sisters’ pleadings overflowed
With grief and faith (as He was owed).
“Come forth!” He cried before the cave.
And then no more by death enslaved
He left his tomb and newly strode
As Jesus walked.

Jeffrey Essmann is a poet and essayist living in New York. His poetry has appeared in numerous magazines and journals, among them Dappled Things, U.S. Catholic, the St. Austin Review, America Magazine, Grand Little Things, and various venues of the Benedictine monastery with which he is an oblate. He is editor of the Catholic Poetry Room page on the Integrated Catholic Life website.