The Bells

Slowly comes the dawn. 

Horizons lighten. Trees 

standing solemn in 

their early morning vigil. 

The churches sleep in 

a strange solitude in this 

season of renewal.

They are alone. 

They are empty. 

But the bells are never 

sleeping.  Waiting for 

the appointed hour

they peal against the 

darkness that has come. 

Their tone is rich and 

pure. They toll no matter 

what society has dictated. 

People sheltering inside 

their homes hear them

ring against the silence!!

Across the empty city 

the church bells come 

to life.  They clang and 

clammer, they chime 

and ring their hallowed 

song to the heavens. 

Bells have no denomination.

They call to everyone to 

gather, to pray, to be as one. 

But the bells will go 

unheeded, but not unheard. 

The disciples stay within 

familiar walls, they hear 

but cannot answer. 

They hide like apostles 

from the Roman guards,

in prayer their heads 

are bowed. 

The bells remind them 

of what once was. 

Of the day they will 

gather again. 

But for now the traditions 

must be kept inside, 

away from what they 

cannot see. 

So let the bells ring out 

across the land. 

Let their song fill 

the morning air. 

For this is the day 

the Lord has made. 

Let all the earth be glad!