Occasional Impressions - music, prose, poetry and prayer on the web
Occasional Impressions Prayer Collections
Stations of the Cross
2.
Jesus betrayed by Judas and arrested
The arrest
Rough hands, coarse hands,
clammy hands, stretch out
encompassing the gnarled wrists
as arms extend to pacify.
Harsh wills cuff compliant flesh
quenching the embers of freedom.
Calloused fingers force compliance;
muscled fists constrain.
Strength shown in violence
trumps patience shown in gentleness.
Vengeance reigns unbridled, while
round justice hangs the chain.
Firm-shod sandals force the anxious pace
smartly in close-quartered custody:
interest nor compassion flicker in the onward surge.
Duty’s all, reflection none; regret? unthinkable.
Assigned is a task to be done -
without blood, yes - or with -
no matter - the job is king:
the order will be done.
Coarse cords draw chafing wrists unwillingly
along the path to justice’s theatre
to play out games of puzzle and response
to entertain, to judge and to condemn.
Rough hands, coarse hands
offer up their custody.
Other hands and other cords constrain.
Strength shown in violence
trumps patience shown in gentleness.
Vengeance reigns unbridled, while
round justice hangs the chain.
John-David Yule
3.
Jesus condemned by the Sanhedrin
Silent witness
Will he, won’t he, dare he say
he’s the One who’s come to play
God on earth for us today:
will he, won’t he, daren’t he say?
Must he always silent be,
rudely stare and blindly see
and no answer give to me:
must he always silent be?
Will he, won’t he, dare he say
he’s the One who’s come to play
God on earth for us today:
will he, won’t he, daren’t he say?
John-David Yule
Contact info@occasionalimpressions.co.uk
© Occasional Impressions 2011 (March)