Eclat

In burst of light, in rent of sky,
the undead shall see it—
hear the trumpet cry!

Listen, I tell the mystery:
We will sleep not, but be changed all.
Trumpet! In a flash!
In a twinkling at the last.

For sound the trumpet will, and the dead will:
Be raised imperishable. Be changed!
For perishable must itself imperishable,
and mortal with immortality clothe.

When then, the written true will come saying:
Death swallowed has been.
Where, O death, is victory?
Where the sting?

The sting is sin and the power is law.
But thanks be! To God!
He gives us Christ, our victory through.

—1 Corinthians 15:51–57 remixed

View the painting that inspired the poem.