Christ the Conqueror: A Poem
Death has no more dominion over Him
Christ is Risen!
I pray you had a blessed Pascha and that the brightness of the feast continues to fill your heart1! I had greatly hoped to send this newsletter to you last Friday but in the words of Gandalf the Grey, "I was delayed." While I have not been fighting a former friend or demon of the deep, I have been fighting off an unfriendly respiratory bug. Thankfully, I'm on the mend and am excited to share this week's poem with you!
About the poem “Christ the Conqueror”
In this week's poem, "Christ the Conqueror," I reflect on the victory that occurred at Christ's descent into Hades and upon His Resurrection from the dead. The King defeated His enemies and now we can rejoice in the good news and the hope of the Resurrection.
This poem is my first time to use the rhyme scheme terza rima. Dante invented this rhyme scheme for the narrative poem The Divine Comedy (which I must admit I have started reading but did not finish). This is the first poem I am sharing here that feels somewhat incomplete. It may be because the rhyme has a way of pulling the reader forward. What are your thoughts?
Christ the Conqueror
Demons of death unleashed by sin Found their chaos quelled As freely Christ to hades didst descend Affrighted as their phantom power fell Pleading to be left alone As the King destroyed their citadel Devouring crucified flesh and bone But falling upon power unseen For God it received as one of its own Thus He raised to life Adam and Eve Raising every Daughter and Son From the curse of death now set free
Coming Soon: Book Updates!
The next newsletter will be packed with exciting updates about Goodnight, Child of God! If you know someone who is always eager to learn more about new Orthodox children's books or bedtime books, let them know to subscribe before next week's post so they can share in the excitement! (I might just be able to share the cover or a snippet of an illustration soon!)
In addition to updates about the book, I will be sharing more about what inspires me as a writer and the story behind Goodnight, Child of God. What would you like to know? Please leave a comment and I will do my best to answer your question in the next newsletter.
Thank you for your continued support. I am grateful for everyone who reads this newsletter and walks on this journey together with me!
With gratitude,
Drew Chancey
The Paschal season begins at Pascha and lasts until Pentecost. During this time, we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ and greet one another with “Christ is Risen!” and the response “Indeed He is Risen!”
I see what you mean about the way this poetic form pulls the reader forward. A perfect choice for the subject matter, by the way. But, I disagree that the poem feels unfinished. The thought is complete; the underlying promise is what seems to press on past the final line.
Christ is risen! Love the echoes of St John’s Paschal homily!