Page 29 - For A Season

Lazarus,

God is [your] helper.

Renamed for you,
we call your town Al-Eizariya,
you call it Bethany –

there are figs there,
there, a house of affliction.

You craft a strange narrative
with your two sisters.

You absent your name,
it appears only in two brief chapters,
alluding to your close friendship,
your pivotal role,

you are God’s helper.

You step into the void.
Bewildered, Martha and Mary grieve.

You return
a catalyst, not given to conversation

you craft a mysterious narrative
with your two sisters.

You absent your name,
make space
for us

to inhabit
a home full of singing
a world devoid of death.

(After Evie Shockley)