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Hymn

I met Him on that Sunday afternoon
I trod the Kentish cobbles through the streets
Of Rochester past dwellings in the gloom
Of fog laced with the waft of teashop treats.
I entered the cathedral with a heart
As heavy as its chilly walls of stone.
I heard the organ stir and choir start
To launch the lilt of Heaven’s work of art.
That sabbath, seeds of majesty were sown.

As nectar spilled from honeyed tongues of praise,
As rapture rose in tones that swirled and soared,
I tasted sunbeams in a zesty blaze
That thrilled me with the flare of every chord.
The stained-glass windows streamed with lemon light
As Hallelujahs swathed me in their cheer.
When, phoenix-like, each golden strain took flight
I saw the scowl of granite skies ignite
And heard the wings of seraphim draw near.

That day a ray of glory swept my way
In shimmers of a silvery refrain.
That day I felt the sparkle and the sway
Of pristine notes. They washed away my pain
Like rain that quells the sting of fiercest tears;
Like hope that burns beneath the bluest moon;
Like prayers that kiss away the keenest fears;
Like love that shines beyond these earthly years.
I met Him on that Sunday afternoon.

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The Word

Are we aware of what that one word means:
The word that conjures rose and moonlight scenes;
The word that trips from lips with pleasing ease;
The word that blurts then billows like a breeze
From tongues that trot it out for everything
From frothy coffee to a diamond ring?

Are we aware of what that word is worth:
The word that blessed Earth with the virgin birth;
The word that shredded flesh and splintered bone;
The word that lit the tomb and rolled the stone—
The word that sacrificed a cherished Son
To save each sinful soul that’s come undone?

Are we aware of that word’s grace and power:
Its might and mercy at the darkest hour;
Its trust, its truth, its beauty and its blaze;
Its duty in the depths of dire days?
Are we aware its wonder and its weight
Annihilate all hopelessness and hate?

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Susan Jarvis Bryant has poetry published on Lighten Up Online, Snakeskin, Light, Sparks of Calliope, and Expansive Poetry Online. She also has poetry published in TRINACRIA, Beth Houston’s Extreme Formal Poems anthology, and in Openings (anthologies of poems by Open University Poets in the UK). Susan is the winner of the 2020 International SCP Poetry Competition, and has been nominated for the 2022 Pushcart Prize.

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21 Responses

  1. Margaret Coats

    An iridescent personal testimony, Susan. The Lord is risen indeed!

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Oh, to have been there on that day when Christ arose from the dead and also when he ascended into Heaven… iridescent days, indeed. How blessed ALL believers are to have a relationship with God, and how blessed we are by His Word.

      For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by him. He that believeth in him is not judged. John 3:16

      Happy Easter to you, Margaret!

      Reply
  2. James A. Tweedie

    Susan, I suspect the most difficult decision in creating “The Word” was how to end a poetic-descriptive narrative that could conceivably and reasonably go on forever (such as the eternal praise offered to God in heaven). And yet you managed to do so gracefully while giving us just enough to capture both our trivial use of The Word and it’s transcendent power both to call forth entire universes into existence and to heal and redeem one person’s heart, as you so beautifully describe in The Hymn (along with the nice word play in the title).

    May you be filled with alleluias as we celebrate The Word incarnate, risen indeed!

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      James, thank you very much for your kind and beautiful words on my poetry. I am humbled. Your understanding of the challenges I faced with “The Word” are spot on, and I am thrilled with your words- they mean a lot to me. James, I wish you a very happy Easter – what a glorious day!

      Reply
  3. Jeremiah Johnson

    Susan, those “Kentish cobbles” and that “scowl of granite” – they really connect!

    I love your “Hymn” and the window on what I assume was your own coming to faith. It reminds me of Rod Dreher’s testimony, about how he entered Chartres Cathedral unwillingly as an atheist with a tour group – and came out with a renewed belief in the existence of God.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Jeremiah, thank you very much for your wonderful comment, which has me heading off to read Rod Dreher’s testimony as soon as I can (how intriguing). My experience was based on an invitation to hear my friend singing along with several other choirs at Rochester Cathedral. It was at a sad time in my life… a time when I felt alone. I believed in God but couldn’t feel Him near me… that afternoon I felt Him hug me, and I knew I was going to pull through.

      Reply
  4. Mark Stellinga

    Susan, both of these little jewels are perfect for Easter, but also for any day of the year. So uplifting to read. If we all had as much of Him in our hearts as you obviously have I can’t help but wonder if there would be any ‘meaningful grievances’ for us poets to pen about! Faith + Conviction are the cornerstone of Pure Happiness, and your boundless intuition combined with your amazing finesse with verse clearly testifies to your and Mike’s. Happy Easter, and, for that matter, Happy Forever.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Mark, what a truly beautiful comment. I believe you may be right when you say “Faith + Conviction are the cornerstone of Pure Happiness” – it certainly makes for a better outlook. I am lucky to be blessed with joy in my life – it’s a gift that I never take for granted. Thank you very much indeed for your lovely words.

      Reply
  5. Roy Eugene Peterson

    I, too, felt the power of personal testimony in “Hymn.” With such wonderful words, I felt as though I was present and worshipping with you. I can imagine the beauty of that cathedral with illuminating light from your special phrases:

    “I tasted sunbeams in a zesty blaze
    That thrilled me with the flare of every chord.
    The stained-glass windows streamed with lemon light
    As Hallelujahs swathed me in their cheer.”

    I can feel the warmth of my heart soaring with the music or praise and glory. Equally, I was blessed with “The Word.” May your Easter Sunday worship be as blessed as mine was from your heartfelt beliefs and majestic poetry.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Roy, you couldn’t have afforded me a greater compliment. To connect with readers in the way you describe, lets me know I got it right. I wanted to take you along with me on my journey and I’m thrilled you came. Roy, I hope you had a beautiful Easter and I thank you for your encouraging words. They mean a lot to me.

      Reply
  6. Brian A Yapko

    These poems are both very special and inspirational, Susan! I love “Hymn” in which you use the homonym of the title to great effect. This feels like a very personal journey of faith which opens in the gloom of Kent – a gloom for which there is obvious nostalgia and it’s a pleasure to join you as you progress from that heavy heart towards a shining bright light. I especially like the phrasing of the “scowl of granite skies” and the many food images you present – the nectar, honey, tasted sunbeams, zesty blaze. It’s as if the church service is literally food for the soul.

    As wonderful as “Hymn” is, I think “The Word” is my favorite of the two. Again, you use a playful title which is a deep clue to the unspoken word which permeates your poem. That word, of course, is “Love” which those of us who believe associate with “the Word who became flesh.” And if Jesus doesn’t represent Love then I’ve quite misunderstood the Gospels. But wait, there’s more. You actually run through the gamut of ways in which love is misunderstood and misused “from tongues that trot it out for everything…” How many of us really stop and take the time to contemplate what a profound concept Love really is? Your poem is a powerful reminder to do so, and it does so with depth and style. Wonderful work!

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Brian, I can always count on you to spot the finer details of my poetry… the homonym, the pathetic fallacy… I’m thrilled you liked the “scowl of granite skies” which gave way to something very special, and I especially like “It’s as if the church service is literally food for the soul” – a magnificent observation.

      I’m thrilled you enjoyed “The Word”. You’ve summed up the meaning of the poem perfectly. The word “Love” has become trite in its overuse. I was going to say that the true meaning of sacrificial love is glossed over and lost in today’s society… but, having read all these superb Easter poems, I’m heartened. Perhaps we are on the cusp of a greater understanding… perhaps ‘love’ in the true sense of the word is helping and healing those who thought hope was out of reach…

      Brian, thank you very much!

      Reply
  7. Cynthia Erlandson

    These are both so moving, Susan. Your description of the profound power of music to move the soul is testament that it can be a language deeper and more powerful than words. Yet you’ve also set forth the power of words, and then wrapped it in the miraculous power of the Word made flesh and all He’s done for us. Alleluia!

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Cynthia, thank you very much for your words – they are all the more appreciated because I know just how much store you put in the wonder of music, and its ability to connect to the soul. I know that feeling and wasn’t sure if I could capture it. I am fully aware that you have a gift for doing so – that’s why I’m over the moon to read your comment. I’m also thrilled you appreciate exactly what I was trying to achieve with “The Word” – I’m a happy lady. Alleluia indeed!

      Reply
  8. Norma Pain

    These are two wonderful Easter poems Susan. Thank you and Happy Easter to you and Mike.

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Norma, I thoroughly appreciate your words of encouragement. It’s always a joy to read your poetry, and I’m glad to bring some joy to you. Thank you for your kind wishes. Mike and I hope you had a wonderful Easter. It was a beautiful day here in Texas. We ended up spending the afternoon searching for fields of bluebonnets… I said to Mike, I hope God sends me the gift of a calf lying down among the flowers. I’m a keen photographer and hoped… and there, at the end of our journey was a field swathed in bluebonnets with a little calf sitting among them… an Easter gift no money could buy. 😉

      Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      James, I’m thrilled you enjoyed my zesty offering… a fresh alternative to all those chocolate eggs. I hope you had a wonderful Easter. Thank you very much indeed!

      Reply
  10. Joshua C. Frank

    Susan, I love these! Where do I even begin?

    “Hymn:” Great title, especially the pun with “Him.” Your usual sound repetition techniques help the vivid imagery along, as always… but also, having gone through the same experience myself long ago, I can say it’s a perfect description of how it is.

    “The Word:” Great meditation on the verse, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.” I especially love the lines, “Are we aware of what that word is worth:/The word that blessed Earth with the virgin birth,” etc.

    Great ones, as always!

    Reply
    • Susan Jarvis Bryant

      Josh, I’m thrilled you enjoyed these poems and it’s wonderful to hear that ‘Him’ reminds you of your own personal experience. I believe God lets us know in many ways that He is near… and the more we reach out to him with our hearts, souls and minds, the more he offers us. Thank you very much for your lovely comment.

      Reply

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