Never,
since the seventh day, 
had there been 
this silence of 
accomplishment.

Not that 
the world noticed.

It had long since 
lost its sensitivity 
to eternity and 
the breathing 
of creation.

Behind the stone,
in a virgin tomb, 
lay the body of 
the Creator.

The Word that spoke,
"Let there be Light",
was contained within 
complete darkness,
just as Deity
had been contained
within human flesh.

The final sacrifice;
the ultimate definition
of "Immanuel" -
God with us:
in living,
in dying
and now
in death itself.

Outside, 
the soldiers 
nonchalantly 
do their duty.

The Pharisees
find comfort 
in their religion
but are haunted 
by his words.

The disciples, 
incredulous that
it had come to this, 
fear
for their own lives 
as those who had 
once believed ...

The women
keep watch.

And, 
as the sun 
slowly slips 
into the evening
of the seventh day,
God, 
having accomplished
all that could be done
took his Sabbath
once again ... 


(c) 2020 Graham Oakes