Arma Christi

 

Sculpture by Janina Karczewska-Konieczna

 

 

the thorn and the nail
weapons primitive cruel
not enough to hang death
life must end in great pain
know the punishment
earned by its insolent birth

the lance and the sponge
deliver unkind mock relief
blood and water drawn
merciless staining faith’s
rough-hewn conjectures of
dogwood and cedar and pine

the veil and the shroud
timeless moments of stillness
one before and one after
the passion the end
the beginning the cup
of shed blood yet among us

the symbols the icons
these heraldic arms
weapons wielded against
force of darkness by
contradict everlast light
cast by man’s prince of peace