Holy Week
The white tulip opens
to a crimson heart

Shaping the dough
into a loaf of bread
Maundy Thursday

Good Friday
. . . moving into the chill
of the tree’s shadow

Early tulip –
in its scarlet cup
the surprise of black

At sunrise
the shine of the church steeple
Resurrection Day

Easter lily
The challenge of His risen life
overflows the sanctuary

Carol Purington lives on a dairy farm in Western Massachusetts.  For three decades she has been exploring Japanese verse forms, including haiku and tanka. She has self-published several books, including Family Farm, a collection of haiku about her home.

Illustrations by Shirley L. Horn. Winfred Press.