The 'Road to Emmaus' is an incident related by Luke in the Gospel that bears his name, where Jesus appears to two disciples who are travelling from Jerusalem to Emmaus, following the tumultuous events of the the days before. It is a wonderful story, the risen Christ unrecognised by the men until some time later that day, when over dinner, they suddenly realise who he is.

I wanted to write a poem about it but many others, including Denise Levertov, have already done so. In the case of Levertov, she has chosen a remarkable painting by Velazquez as the inspiration for the poem. I had thought to do so too, but there you are, too late! The poem is called 'Servant Girl at Emmaus.' The painting below is a precious moment of recognition, recorded forever.

She listens, listens, holding her breath.
Surely that voice
is his—the one
who had looked at her, once,
across the crowd, as no one ever had looked?
Had seen her?
Had spoken as if to her?
Surely those hands were his,
taking the platter of bread from hers just now?
Hands he’d laid on the dying and made them well?
Surely that face—?
The man they’d crucified for sedition and blasphemy.
The man whose body disappeared from its tomb.
The man it was rumoured now some women had seen this morning,
alive?
Those who had brought this stranger home to their table
don’t recognize yet with whom they sit.
But she in the kitchen,
absently touching the wine jug she’s to take in,
a young Black servant intently listening,
swings round and sees
the light around him
and is sure.