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