I have risen with the sun and lifted my arms high in appreciative salute to Helios as he pushes through the clouds and over the trees. Soon my bride and I will head off for Nassau Presbyterian Church, don our choir robes and I, with more gusto than talent, will bellow forth my favorite hymns, with such treasured lyrics as: “…bid the grim demonic chorus Christ is risen, Get you gone….” Oh yeah. Today the good guys are winning.
Sweet Spring has drawn our weary heads out of the winter of our discontent and her first teasing perfumes resurrect new hopes in all of us. ‘Tis the season that has prodded poets’ pens throughout the ages. (You will not be subjected to my Persephone’s Return poem conjured for my bride this morning.) But allow me, if you will, to pass on to you one fervent seasonal wish: May you resurrect Hope within your own life.
There are indeed more people who want to help you than hurt you. Our own culture bulges with public servants and private donors and good-hearted souls who are contributing to their planet and fellows.
Why not find and celebrate them? Whether you join them or not remains, of course, your choice. Yet, may you be aware of all the good that the fellows of your species are doing. As always, there is great money and great sources of power to be had by stirring up our fears. Those who lay out an array of threats are legion. But in the end, despair is simply an inaccurate vision. Hope has the majority on its side.
So as the season comes into full flower, may we all bid the grim, demonic chorus Hope is risen, get you gone.
Oh, and to my atheistic buddies who will doubtless greet me on this particular Easter with, “Christ is risen – April Fools!” I get the joke.
Wishing you every success,
Bart Jackson
