Paschal Triduum, 2020

virtual services

alleluias sounded

out of the candlelit darkness
of the Kentish vigil

with boisterous
and brazen tongues
the bells rang out

the Archdeacon
raised her white-sleeved hand
with an aspergillum
flinging beads of holy water
to cleanse us all
of contagion

the Canon
in her gentle voice
read the epistle

the Dean enjoined
a scattered congregation
in his grateful cadence
Therefore let us
keep the feast

recorded choristers
sang Now the green
blade riseth

all but birdlife
fell silent