I Followed Women

I followed
Awakened by instinct
As dawn broke.

I followed women
Keeping respectful distance
As they wound through quiet streets.

I followed women quietly
Slipping through sun’s strengthening rays
As they left the sleeping city.

I followed women quietly clustered
Curious about their destination
As they hurried furtively.

I followed women quietly clustered close
Carrying jars and cloths
As they came near Golgotha.

I followed women quietly clustered close together
Whispering urgently
As they entered the dew dropped garden.

I followed women quietly clustered close together, stopping,
Drawing back
As they neared their destination.

I followed women quietly clustered close together, stopping, confused
Before the open cave
As they realised the stone removed.

I followed women quietly clustered close together, stopping, confused, distraught
Cowering in the entrance
As they absorbed its wonder.

I followed women quietly clustered close together, stopping, confused, distraught, hearing
Heavenly tones
As angels told them Christ was risen.

I followed
Still at respectful distance
As they rushed to the city.

Why did I follow? What happened there?
Should I believe what I’d heard?
I had to look in, I just had to see
Sunlight stream through deep shadows

And, yes, God was there
In that bright, empty tomb
He’d called me to witness it all,
I felt Him touch me, He helped me to see
And to know why I follow this man.