Poem for Holy Week

 

STATIONS OF OUR CROSSES

(Holy Week  critique of peace)

 

1.  Condemnation

 

Pilate's  washed hands dry

the Autumn of guilt in Spring//

pure finality

 

2.  Assuming the cross

 

Shoulder pain gladly\\

dare to season salvation,

carry holiness

 

3.  The first fall

 

In hours of doubt

immortal bones kiss the earth:

time yields no blessing.

 

4.  Ave Mater

 

Mother, your womb's proof

is socially distanced  hope//

sinners hibernate

 

5.  Simon of  Cyrene

 

Truly brotherhood

prevails  beyond cheapened race

in consummate grace

 

6. Veronica's Cloth

 

An image transferred//

a visage saved forever:

silent sorrow song

 

 

7.  The second fall

 

Mea culpa, sage

must appease the angry sky

that summer condemns

 

 

8.  Ladies of Jerusalem

 

No fine feathers hear

their bodies in agony//

the winter's sorrow

 

9.  The third fall

 

Amens of the end:

'Tis springtime  nowhere somewhere

no mind comprehends

 

10.  Humiliation of  Robes and Roles

 

Hand-woven textiles//

a summer of discontent:

tears occupy dice

 

11. A nailing sacrament

 

Dread hammers and spikes

sound   mortals forevermore,

consecrate limits

 

12.  Death most royal

 

Crucified honor,

our rosy crucifying//

sin of winter's wages

 

13.  Body and Soul

 

Let spring bring comfort//

wisdom severely needed,

blessed Easter fruits

 

14.   A tomb transcended

 

Flowers sing sweetly,

praise love's pure resurrection//

imagine our faces.

 

Jerry W. Ward, Jr.                            3/30/2021 4:11:54 AM

 

 

 

 

 

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