GOOD FRIDAY - WHEN IT WAS FINISHED

When it was finished

Crows fought

for the unfurling ribbon

of his last words.

When it was finished

His mother's heart

was fully pierced.

And when it was finished

Darkness rose

from broken tombs

while stars and comets

crossed the sky

When it was finished:

Judas lit a single candle

in the upper room.

And when it was finished:

Three soldiers

in camos and balaclavas

snapped their steel wands

and pushed the crowd back

from the high mound

his friends

lowered the cross

closed his eyes

and pulled the nails

a wild dog

slunk up to him

sniffed his matted hair

and stood gazing

at his face.

When it was finished

The rain began

and the rain

washed him

and the mud

anointed him

and the women

wrapped his body.

And when it was finished

They left him

to the tomb

and made

their way

past endless rubble

through checkpoints

and concertina wire

made their way

past trash fires

and crack whores

made their way

into narrow lanes

past grilled and boarded storefronts

into darkened parlors of frightened men

and hungry children.

  

And when it was finished

Hell welcomed Him

and knelt before Him

asking

if he had died

for them

as well.

(White Crucifixion - Marc Chagall)

RW

Good Friday

2010