The Master's Voice

Painting by Jacques Josept Tissot (1836-1902:  Last Discourse of Our Lord Jesus Christ

THE MASTER’S VOICE     Matthew 29:30

Bread broken, a hymn was sung.

“I will not drink of the vine,

fruit of earthly soil until new

with you in my father’s kingdom.”

He raised his voice a soft rumble;

The root note beneath them all.

Thunder in the distance, his bass

Lifted them sweetly aloft.

Perhaps he voiced high tenor,

His lips shaping clear vowels

That soared above the others.

He set the true pitch sensed
 in shimmering stars.

Did their wet eyes seek his,

Inhale in unison, or did Jesus

Tap the down beat?

Harmony in fifths and fourths

Angelic voices chimed in above.

Marys and Simons in harmony

Tightly woven, occasional

Dissonance relaxed melts into

the sweetest tension.

Earthly echoes of heavenly resonance

A Capella or did John tune the lute?

This the voice lambs heard,

Stilled the water, raised the dead.

Which psalm duets the last cup?

A tremor here and a catch

In breath, there, they blend again.

A plagal echo lingers eternally

Absorbed in ancient walls,

Witnessed the final Amen.

By Mary Stromer Hanson March 2016