Broken Vessels

With each snap of the whip

With each piercing of the thorns

With each strike of the hammer

With each gasp of breath

The glass vessels begin to crack and break

As the thunder claps

As the sky darkens

As the curtain tears

As the final breath releases

Shattered pieces of glass covers the earth.

What was once

restrictive

confining

shielding

is no longer.

On Easter as the Son rises from the shadows of the tomb

The Father gazes upon the earth

no longer individual vessels

but one stain glass mosaic

reflecting the forgiveness of the Father

and the love of the Son

by Susan Handle Terbay

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