Crowned With Love
Weak, leaning against the bars of my enclosing Dirty hands, soiled heart, a prison I deserve Laughter Sandaled feet stop before my cell A bundle of thorny vines thrust between the bars To make a crown Trembling, I begin Even at this, failing Hands bleeding, pierced and scratched Tears of pain, shame and frustration And a lopsided oversized crown Thorns all in the same direction Thorns as long as my fingers I shiver Heavy footsteps The door opens Somewhere I hear a burst of raucous laughter And the sound of blows The crown is taken from my hands As I’m hauled to my feet Pushed, stumbling past the room of a prisoner Curiosity overcoming me I raise my eyes A man, beaten beyond recognition Purple robe soaked in red And eyes Deep brown eyes of love and grief Piercing me to my very soul All else fading for a moment— I’m pushed forward Thrown onto the street With shouted threats and mockeries The gate slams I stumble away Mud and blood smeared across my face Where I wip...