bloody

bloody You came into this world

entering through a mother’s body

in the way of all babes

magnificence made mundane

and what was a marvel

merely matter of fact

You had no form

that would shout Messiah!

no face to mark the masterpiece-Maker

mingling with men

You had no conventional

kingly bearing or beauty

instead a carpenter’s wood-rough hands

pierced by implements

forged from elements

You brought into being with a breath

and we condemned You to death?

how foolish were we!

— how foolish was i! —

and yet …

little murderess though i be

bloody You drank that cup

for me