Harrowing of Hell. Fresco, by Fra Angelico, c. 1430s
A poem for Holy Saturday
(click on poet’s name to hear it read out loud)
Go to Hell
He is called to hell, this Man
He is called to glory
He knows well those twisted ways and those who’ve lost their story.
He is called to clay, this Man
He is called to yearning
He has heard of hidden streams that heal those tired of burning.
He’s searching out those raised in hell
He wants to know the things they know
He believes in dreamland where the ragged people go.
He is called to quiet now
He is called to silence
To squat down on the breaking ground with those who’ve swallowed violence.
He is called to anguished thoughts
He is called to flowers
To find in hell’s own lonely fury that which no flame devours.
I saw Him on the midway path
I saw He carried two things only
On his trip to hell, this Man
He is called to story.