After the wild revival in the nave
I went home feeling stupid since the rest
had got it. Why was I no good to save?
My brain was grasping like an atheist:
how can you know one climbed out of a tomb
and all the dead will wake as if they’d slept?
“You back?” came probing from my brother’s room.
I lay down on my bed to sleep, except
my heart beat very quickly of a sudden,
and warmth from somewhere, like a stranger’s breath,
breached me. Divinity had poured its flood in
to float me high above the fear of death.
I lit a lamp to look on my excitement:
what mad shadows were fluttering about!
The many dizzy angels on that night meant
love and forever and goodbye to doubt.
Though groaning like a person in distress
(my brother asked me if I’d cracked a tooth),
I’d never felt such perfect happiness.
I feel it now, too, having told the truth.
—Aaron Poochigian
Time is short, so I’ll be direct: FIRST THINGS needs you. And we need you by December 31 at 11:59 p.m., when the clock will strike zero. Give now at supportfirstthings.com.
First Things does not hesitate to call out what is bad. Today, there is much to call out. Yet our editors, authors, and readers like you share a greater purpose. And we are guided by a deeper, more enduring hope.
Your gift of $50, $100, or even $250 or more will bring this message of hope to many more people in the new year.
Make your gift now at supportfirstthings.com.
First Things needs you. I’m confident you’ll answer the call.
