“March 25,” by Timothy E. G. Bartel

Timothy E. G. Bartel is a poet and professor from California. His poems have appeared in periodicals such as Christianity and Literature, First Things, and Windhover, and his latest book of poems is Aflame but Unconsumed (Kelsay Books, 2019). Timothy currently lives in Houston and teaches writing at Saint Constantine College.

Instagram: @timothy.bartel
Twitter: @TimothyEGBarte1

March 25

Annunciation to the cold spring morning
Annunciation to the waking city
Annunciation to the school-bound children
Annunciation to the pre-made plans.

Renunciation of the past distractions
Renunciation of the grudges carried
Renunciation of the dreams we savored
Renunciation of the years before.

Annunciation that the war is over
Renunciation of the sides we took
Annunciation that the furthest source is
Incarnate in the woman at your side.