Poetry Friday: Good Friday
I cannot sing, nor do I want to
To that Jesus on the cross
But rather to the One that
walked on water.
For Christians all over the world, today — Good Friday — is one of the saddest days of the year. So the sentiment expressed above by Spanish poet Antonio Machado is one, particularly, that many children might feel on this day. And yet, one cannot enter into the religious celebration of Easter without first experiencing the death of its central figure, Jesus Christ.
Good Friday is observed all over the world in various ways. There are masses, worship services, processions and rituals carried out. Writing or reading poetry is also a way to observe the day. You might take out some good books about Easter from the library or check out the plethora of websites out there on poetry and Easter. I took out an oldie found for me by my librarian friend from our local library titled Easter Poems by well known children’s poetry anthologist Myra Cohn Livingston, illustrated by John Wallner (Holiday House, 1985) and found many good poems that reflect both the “joy and solemnity of the holiday” as the jacket flap blurb indicates. Today is about the solemnity, of course, but soon joy will come. Here’s an excerpt from one poem “These Three” by X.J. Kennedy that begins with the solemn lines:
These three on Friday
Lay cloudy, dark and still:
Shadows
Of three crosses
On cold Golgotha Hill
Of course, the poem ends with a trio of images of the joy yet to come.
What books do you read to your children on this day? Give us your recommendations, poetic or otherwise. Today’s Poetry Friday host is Kate at Book Aunt.
April 2nd, 2010 at 4:20 pm
My sons and I are really loving The Family Bible done by Ralph Milton. It’s illustrated by Margaret Kyle with a variety of ethnicities represented on every page. The Old & New Testament stories are retold simply but with great clarity and grace. Many parts of the Bible usually left out of children’s Bibles are put in and told directly on a child’s level. I adore the way Jesus is portrayed. He is warm, friendly, kind, wise and full of laughter. He knows just what to say to get Zacchaeus out of a tree of put the religious leaders in their place. This past week we’ve been reading the Holy Week stories and it is the perfect way to bring the children through the Passion. Can’t say enough about this wonderful Bible story book!
April 2nd, 2010 at 6:47 pm
My son is a Junior in HS now. So he hasn’t asked me to read a book to him in awhile. However, I believe faith is found every day. Right now, he is Tevia in the school play, Fiddler on the Roof. So he is required to memorize lines about faith. A good spiritual practice any time of the year.
Laura Evans
all things poetry
April 2nd, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Thanks, Andromeda and Laura. One thing I read to my daughter this past week was The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde. That is a very good story for Easter. And Andromeda, we have the Ralph Milton Bible! It was recommended to us by a friend. Thanks for the suggestion.