Saturday, March 12, 2016

Poem - Cross Purposes

Cross Purposes
O. Kris Widmer
An Easter Poem
John 19:38-42

Idea:    12 March 2016                                   Printed:  12 March 2016

3 Word Wednesday – Poetry Prompt - 3 Required Words
Hateful,  Limp,  Marvel


The middle victim hangs
limp, lifted up
drawing all to Himself,
including two members
of the council of conviction.

Intentionally overlooked for the trial,
now they come with
burial permit:  duly notarized and stamped
spices:  mounds of myrrh
lengths of linen: to wrap a body

The hateful speakers are gone now,
back to their temple’s towers.
These two murmur only words of love.

“Such a shame what they did.”
“Yes it is.  I’m at cross purposes with it!”
“Me too! My, how they cursed Him.  He gave only blessings!”
“Gently now…don’t let his head drop.”
“Right.  I visited with Him one night, you know.”
“Really?   I too am a secret devotee.”
“I hope I bought enough spices.”
“I’ve got a tomb near here.  Let’s put him there.”

When finished, they rolled the stone,
shutting Him inside,
not knowing the marvel to occur
the day after tomorrow.


Poem - Expulsion

Expulsion
O. Kris Widmer
Genesis 3:22-24

Idea:    12 March 2016                                   Printed:  12 March 2016

Having failed to obey,
They trudged from their garden’s gate -
floral vines they had planted and trained
to keep the hares where they belonged –
out of their vegetables.
Now, it was no longer theirs.

There was nothing to do now
but make a bivouac, beyond the tree line
and hunker down for the night.

Tomorrow, they would cull their flock,
make sacrifice,  then make a second set of clothes
Later, maybe a pillow.

Skin garments removed,
they huddled for warmth in the evening chill,
no longer ashamed of their nakedness.
but already, the afflictions
of the growing thorns and thistles
were piercing their backsides.





 Link to Three Word Wednesday

In Response to Three Word Wednesday – an online poetry prompt
Naked, adjective: (of a person or part of the body) without clothes, (of an object) without the usual covering or protection, (of a tree, plant, or animal) without leaves, hairs, scales, shell, etc., exposed to harm; unprotected or vulnerable, (of something such as feelings or behavior) undisguised; blatant.

Obey, verb: comply with the command, direction, or request of (a person or a law); submit to the authority of, carry out (a command or instruction), behave in accordance with (a general principle, natural law, etc.).

Piercing, adjective: (of eyes or a look) appearing to see through someone; searching, (of wind or extreme temperature) seeming to cut through one, (of a feeling) affecting one keenly or deeply, (of mental attributes) sharp; profound.







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