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Stone’s Point of View

They brought Him to the tomb and rolled me into
The right position to seal in the dead,
And there was nothing I could do to undo
The suffocating sense of loss and dread.
The bloody face they wrapped in finest linen
Retained a look of love I’d never seen.
On the third day something very thrilling
Unfolded—I was first upon the scene.
The dead man took a breath and then ascended
From the place where He had lately lain.
All I’d ever known was then upended.
He had conquered death! A new refrain
Would now be sung by me, for stones can sing;
They too can’t help but let their praises ring!

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Gigi Ryan is a wife, mother, grandmother, and home educator. She lives in rural Tennessee.

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18 Responses

  1. Shamik Banerjee

    Wonderful perspective, Gigi. A fresh take from a new angle on one of the most important historical events. It was a joy to read your poem. My heart is full! Happy Easter!

    Reply
    • Gigi Ryan

      Dear Shamik,
      The truth of the Resurrection is most heart filling. What a wonderful day. Happy Easter!
      Gigi

      Reply
  2. Margaret Brinton

    Happy Easter, Gigi! What a lovely personification of The Stone.

    Reply
  3. Russel Winick

    Very clever, Gigi! What a wonderful medley of Easter poems SCP and Evan have given us today!

    Reply
    • Gigi Ryan

      Dear Russel,
      I agree – it has been a delight to have multiple poems to enhance Easter meditations and worship today.
      Gigi

      Reply
  4. Margaret Coats

    A stone is cool and solid and heavy. But it can make strident, grinding noises when it moves. And when supernaturally upended, yes, Gigi, it might ring with singing. Excellent shift of perspective!

    Reply
    • Gigi Ryan

      Dear Margaret,
      I had not even considered the sound it made as the stone rolled away. I did often think about how Jesus said that, “if the crowd kept silent, even the stones would cry out in praise,” as I wrote this.
      Happy Easter!
      Gigi

      Reply
  5. Paul Freeman

    What a unique perspective, well told.

    You rock, Gigi, so to speak.

    Reply
  6. Gigi Ryan

    Dear Paul,
    You made me laugh with your play on words. Thank you for your comment.
    Gigi

    Reply
  7. Cynthia Erlandson

    What a marvelous sonnet, Gigi! From the whole idea of the perspective (stated in the title) and personification of the rock, to the clever rhymes like into/undo and ascended/upended, and the amusing line “I was first upon the scene”, this is wonderfully creative! I especially love your allusion to the stones crying out their praise.

    Reply
    • Gigi Ryan

      Dear Cynthia,
      Thank you for sharing all of these observations. I am glad you caught the touch of humor. with the stone being the first on the scene. I have several firefighter sons and it is a phrase I hear often.
      Happy Easter!
      Gigi

      Reply
  8. Yael

    This is a marvelous resurrection day poem, I love it! I had never even considered the stone’s point of view before, and you have done the rock full justice. Great job!

    Reply
    • Gigi Ryan

      Dear Yale,
      Thank you so much. Nearly 40 years ago I heard a Lenten sermon series I never forgot. Each week the the Easter story was told from a different perspective – the crown of thorns was one. (I don’t think he used the stone.) But, here, so many years later, I still remember that and it is probably what gave me the idea for this poem.
      Gigi

      Reply
  9. Roy Eugene Peterson

    Gigi, this is a precious poem for Easter beautifully worded.

    Reply
  10. Maria

    Dear Gigi, I often wondered about that stone that was so heavy to move into place but then rolled away very easily, but never thought to write a poem possibly because that takes real creativity and wit But thank you for crediting me with those attributes. I really appreciate it. I would say my poem took a great deal of perseverance
    Whereas you have painted with words the whole scene and more. I hope my comment makes sense and does justice to your wonderful poem.
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Gigi Ryan

      Dear Maria,
      Yes, your gracious words made sense and were quite encouraging to me!
      Thank you.
      Gigi

      Reply

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