While it was yet dark,

Mary reached the stone.

The seal of grief was moved away;

The tomb stood open, body gone.

She ran to Peter and the one

Whom Jesus loved and said:

"They have taken away the Lord,

And we know not where he is laid."

Two men ran toward the garden;

The other reached it first,

Stooped and saw the linen,

But waited at the door.

Peter entered, saw the cloth,

The napkin laid apart;

Then the other came and saw,

And belief began inside his heart.

They saw the empty place,

But did not know the written word.

The grave had lost its claim,

Before resurrection was understood.

Mary stayed there weeping,

Bent down into the tomb.

Bent down into the tomb.

Two angels asked her sorrow

From where the body had been moved.

She turned and saw a stranger,

Supposed the gardener near:

"Sir, if thou hast borne him hence,

Tell me where he lies."

One word crossed the garden:

"Mary."

She had seen the Lord.

The night released the morning.

She had seen the Lord.

Her name became the turning

That death had not retained him,

That grief had lost its claim.

She had seen the Lord.

And ran to tell his brethren.

Evening shut the doors

Because the disciples feared.

Jesus stood among them:

"Peace be unto you."

He showed the hands and wounded side;

Their sorrow turned to joy.

As the Father sent the Son,

The risen Son now sent them.

"Peace be unto you."

The locked door cannot bar him.

"Peace be unto you."

The wounds declare the risen body.

Breath came upon the gathered ones;

The Spirit's work drew near.

"Peace be unto you."

Thomas had not seen him:

"Unless I see the nail prints,

Put finger in the print,

And hand into his side,

I will not believe."

Eight days held the question,

Then doors were shut once more;

Jesus stood again among them

And gave the word of peace.

"Reach hither thy finger;

Behold the hands once torn.

Reach hither thy hand;

Be not faithless, but believe."

Thomas met the living wounds

And answered what they proved:

"My Lord and my God."

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;

These are written that ye might believe

And believing, live in his name.

Blessed are they who have not seen,

And yet have believed.

The book did not hold every sign.

It held enough to point to life.