jesus, the master thief

one of my dissertation committee members (who has written a brilliant religious/intellectual treatment of elizabeth cady stanton, mrs. stanton's bible emailed me earlier to cancel a meeting we had scheduled for later in the week. she was forced to do so because her mother passed away this morning. so, professor kern is traveling to be with family in pennsylvania. consequently, i offer up the following verses, written by emily dickinson in 1860, as a prayer for the kerns, as well as a reminder for all about christ's power over death.

"Dust is the only Secret--
Death, the only One
You cannot find out all about
In his "native town."

Nobody knew "his Father"--
Never was a Boy--
Hadn't any playmates,
Or "Early history"--

Industrious! Laconic!
Punctual! Sedate!
Bold as a Brigand!
Stiller than a Fleet!

Builds, like a Bird, too!
Christ robs the Nest--
Robin after Robin
Smuggled to Rest!

(the complete poems of emily dickinson, 72)