For Anthony

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
-John 11

In Portland it rained
On Mt. Hood snow fell quiet
Dusk came too early

Anthony never came down from Mt. Hood. Two years ago, a few days before Christmas, calls came screaming from every phone that knew him. Pray for Anthony. Did you hear about Anthony? Any updates? Have they found him yet? Advent was spent waiting for the weather to clear, waiting for an affirming answer.

The slopes were silent
Night greeted more snow and fog
Impenetrable

They found him six months later. After search and rescue shook hands with Anthony’s parents, fighting back tears. After an awkward memorial. After pitcher after pitcher was split with his best friends. After drunk tears turned to hysteric laughs then back again. After the ice that trapped him melted into rivers glutted with spring. They found Anthony six months too late.

Long nights spent waiting,
Cold mornings scraping windshields:
Spring always comes slow

At the service the preacher spoke from John 11: Christ was late. Lazarus was dead. Jesus wept. At the grave Christ spoke: “Lazarus, come out.” Two years after Anthony didn’t come back, we’re waiting for Jesus to repeat himself.