Passion Play
1
Today we wave palms
Or not—some churches
Seem to wait—in an
Enactment, a kind of
Remembrance
Passion starts, a brief
Season of
Intimacy overthrown,
Though given first by
The hand of God through
Child, prophet, and
Teacher
One who was three
On Thursday, many
Christians will recall:
He names adherents
No longer only followers
But now as friends
Goes to prayer, Son of
Us, before taken away
2
Carried with will toward
Interrogation, torture
Final testimony that
Renders him seditious
To the crowd, numbered
Of all the world we
Knew
Beaten and burdened
With his means of execution
He is taken on the way
With escort disciplined
Through a mob that,
More and more, loses its
Human shape and
Recognition
We mock, refute, then
Pierce his skin to leave
Him, a criminal, dying
With due scorn upon an
Iron tree
3
We wave palms,
Festive and endearing,
A likable rite that we
Prepare
Later in the week we
Wrap his wounds in
Bearing our bound
Innocence into a tomb
Beside which stands
A stone door carved
With the world’s skill
Ready to be shut against
All consequence
clcouch123 
March 21, 2016 at 2:02 am
A great poem about the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. I believe that whatever bad and awful torture/pain Jesus experienced, he used for the greater good. To show us how to “turn the other cheek” and demonstrate ultimately through his resurrection, he was more powerful than this abuse, and more loving to anyone who “abuses Him” or his name as we who sin often do. He overcame it all when he defeated Satan, death, and sin. Lovely, poem for this time of year.
March 21, 2016 at 2:12 am
Thanks, Amanda. And I positively agree. Jesus left the garden to go with the guards because he made the choice to go. Against the will of the Son of God, no one could have done anything. He submitted to abuse, just as you say. To be tried and tortured and ultimately to be killed. And was resurrected, offering resurrection now to us who believe. I think he does set the model for submitting ourselves to the will of the world, when we must. Jesus also taught things such as Be gentle as doves and wise as serpents. And not to cast our pearls. (I thought of that when I read “pearl” in a recent work of yours.) Jesus does not want us to be abused, I don’t think. But if we are, then Jesus is with us, knowing all about abuse himself. I’m grateful you find the poem right for the season. I guess that’s why I posted it now. (Well, of course it is.) Have a special Holy Week.
March 21, 2016 at 8:20 am
Thsi beautiful poem almost moved me to tears. How beautifully have your described the events that we should always reflect upon. His death, I hope, will not go to waste.
March 21, 2016 at 3:17 pm
It won’t. Death was followed by life. That through belief we have. Thank you for sharing your moving response. Humbling and encouraging.
March 22, 2016 at 1:38 am
That is true. Words your poem deserve. 🙂