Another Poem for Good Friday 2018

Note: In a number of phrases, the author has taken poetic license in expressing theological concepts and faith-related experiences for which simple language falls short.

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blood drips down your brow, your nose, your beard

you’re shaking, reeling, gasping

yelping and wriggling in agony

when you hang, nails in your hands burn

when you stand, nails in your feet burn

you cannot wriggle them free

—you can feel the rust and bumps of the iron with your bones

hot, heart hot and pounding: everything burning together, wants to rip out of your chest

hanging, cannot breathe

up: legs trembling, arms cramping, teeth clenching—

raw back shreds along the splinters—head flings back in pain

thorns drive deeper

screeching!—voice broken and hoarse

thirsty! thirst—

breath, breath—cough, spatter blood

breath, breath—drop: nails burn

no one helping

open eyes

all are watching, dark sky

can’t breathe, stretch back

stretch up, breathe

“he saved others but he cannot save himself”

(my name) eyes close heavy

drop

hot, heart hot and pounding: everything burning together

bumps in the nails burn

crying. hamstrings cramp shut, eyes are swollen shut

tears fall

one onto lip, take it: salt

drink with blood

something soft and warm on lips

moisture: suckle

burns sharp on gums: alcohol

spit it out—

gifts are sour

it

them

them!—yes, will

shaking in agony’s fire, you lift yourself and breathe

I see your cross

in this chasm.

I feel you being crucified in me

(I am you, you are me)

and you are being crucified in me

I am being crucified with you

within me

within you

I will love you with my death

I will die

because you die

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