This man

[JoelJosol]

These wounds,

punctures all around the head,

dried blood masking his face,

must have been pierced,

all at one time,

by the mockery,

and by thousand spiked insults

weaved in thorn branches

to serve as crown on his head.

 

This skin, these lesions

sank death closer to the bones.

These multiple bruises,

must have come from lies

so wicked and so many,

enveloped in fists

whose blows spared

nothing in body

or limbs.

 

This back,

disfigured, lacerated

and ripped apart,

torn open again

and again,

by the sharpest,

vilest of hatred,

wrapped in every flagellum's whip

unforgiving in intensity.

 

This rib cage,

this open fissure,

jabbed deep,

pierced fiercely,

by the indifference

of a soldier's spear,

and from which poured freely

a stream of forgiveness

to cleanse the blood-soaked earth.

 

This body

though clobbered by cruelty,

his spirit let out

amid his dying groan

words like 'forgive'

that would have been unuttered

were he of lesser strength,

of lesser will.

[tonyv]

Very, very good, Joel. This reminds me of Mel Gibson's The Passion. I saw it at the cinema, and I have it on DVD, but I have not watched it save that once. Thank you for sharing this first-rate work here just prior to "Good" Friday, which should really probably be called "remembrance" Friday or "solemn" Friday.

 

Tony

[goldenlangur]

A very appropriate theme for this time of the year .

 

You bring to life the "Passion" of this great man in your unflinching descriptions of his physical suffering and his torment.

 

goldenlangur

[JoelJosol]

Thanks, Tony and GL, for the feedback. I wrote it really for this occasion.

[Aleksandra]

Joel this is moving piece. Very wonderful I loved how the words are in special poetical order.

Really this gives scene - hurtful - hard.

And, I think before few days or maybe yesterday was some holiday there with that occasion? I watched for the north part from Manila, some rituals. Sorry for my ignorance if I am wrong Joel

 

Anyway back to the poem, the start is wonderful. It hits even from the beginning.

 

Much enjoyed reading this

 

Thank you a lot for sharing

 

Aleksandra

[JoelJosol]

Thanks, aleks. Filipinos are religious and has many rituals when it comes to Lent.

[pawn shop]

I agree with Tony I do think of the PASSION movie....

that movie is a tough watch..........

I've only seen it once all the way through.....at movie theater....

and I own the vhs tape for years now.....

just cant bring myself to watch it......

I've watched shows on THE SHROUD OF TOURIN.......

that's very fascinating......

it's supposed to be the sheet his body was wrapped in....

many people have denied this....

but it's still held as a very holy relic.....one of the top 5 easy.

[Tinker]

Hi Joel, This is one of the best pieces I have read this season meant to capture the reason. I liked it a lot. It is a great meditation that I personally used on Good Friday. The focus, the message, is one of the hardest lessons for me personally - FORGIVENESS! Thank you from my own personal spiritual journey.

 

From a writing standpoint, I think you made your point and delivered your message loud and clear in the first 4 strophes. The 5th and last strophe comes off to me as a little redundant and almost preachy. I think the poem would have a stronger impact without it.

 

Thank you again for providing such a powerful tool for meditation.

 

~~Tink

[JoelJosol]

Thanks for the feedback, Tinker. Yup, the ending is a little preachy. Let me how I can tweak the redundancy part.

[summayya]

Ahh life! And yes forgiveness!

 

A wonderful read JJ.