"Easter Week"

See the land, her Easter keeping, 
Rises as her Maker rose. 
Seeds, so long in darkness sleeping, 
Burst at last from winter snows. 
Earth with heaven above rejoices; 
Fields and gardens hail the spring; 
Shaughs and woodlands ring with voices, 
While the wild birds build and sing. 

You, to whom your Maker granted 
Powers to those sweet birds unknown, 
Use the craft by God implanted; 
Use the reason not your own. 
Here, while heaven and earth rejoices, 
Each his Easter tribute bring- 
Work of fingers, chant of voices, 
Like the birds who build and sing.


Written in 1867 by Charles Kingsley (1819 - 1875)


Just back from tonight's book club meeting in Chesham, with all the ladies as lively as ever and our spirits not dampened by the pouring rain outside.  Thank you very much to Sarah H, who gave us each a little jar which she had decorated with ribbon and a crocheted flower, containing tiny chocolate Easter eggs.  I expect I shall see some of the girls at the Good Friday Meditation in St Mary's Church tomorrow afternoon.