Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Monday of Holy Week (A Poem)

Monday of Holy Week

I saw Jesus today
in Toledo.
Unsure, I did a double-take
looking above the traffic
and there he was over I-75
crossing on a bridge, behind chain-link.

Jesus wore a shabby coat and cap,
his stoic face focused on the other side
as he pressed on despite spitting rain and snow.
Weather hands, without gloves,
clutched a rough hewed cross
a crown of thrones hung off the upright.

I saw Jesus today
In Toledo.
He was a long ways from Jerusalem,
but there were no jeering crowds this time,
just a lonely black man
taking up his cross
and braving the elements.

I’ve made a quick overnight trip and am now back. I did, however, watch the game. What about those Tarheels! The poem describes a sight I saw while driving through Toledo.

17 comments:

  1. what a lovely, meaningful poem - thanks

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  2. Sage, what a good poem! I'm impressed and moved.


    The game was fantastic!! I watched the Heels today when they got back to Chapel Hill and they must be on cloud nine!

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  3. A fantastic poem. Thank you for sharing.

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  4. Jesus on the overpass bridge during Passover...Well said Sage, well said.

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  5. Those Ohioans are an odd group of people. Eventually you will have lived here so long that you either ignore or mock them.

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  6. Thanks Diane.

    Kenju, I bet you're right--they played flawlessly in the first half!

    Thanks Venus.

    Walking guy, (chuckling) Why didn't I think of the passover/overpass connection!

    Murf, thanks for the tip!

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  7. Very nice poem, and brave of you! :) Reminds me of some of John Prine's music for some reason.

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  8. Most Hindus consider God as a family member. Someone who is just like one of us. That one who shares everything. And also one who is nothing without us. God needs us the same way we need him/her.

    I find somewhat that thought in your poem. I have often wondered if God landed up in the prevailing times, how would he/she behave. The way you described.

    I think you ought to write more of poetry.

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  9. Beau, Brave of me? Maybe foolish for looking up so much when flying through town on the freeway

    Randall, thanks

    Gautami, thanks for the encouragement to write poetry and also for the insights into Hindu thought

    Pia, because I had to travel through Toledo to get to Sandusky (my destination)

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  10. What a lovely poem, Sage. Beautifully phrased. It was like he was right in front of me.

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  11. Yes, Sage. That is much of Ohio as I was born in that State and your story is poignant! My Best to You! :)

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  12. What a wonderful poem! You have a way with words, my friend.

    Happy Easter!

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  13. Don't know what I would do if I were to see Jesus walking down the street.

    I'll probably ask for the winning lottery ticket. Nah, I'll more likely to ask for a good apple pie recipe I think.

    Oh I'm so full of nonsense. I'll probably be very quiet actually.

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  14. I'm late to the party, but what a great poem. Well done, Sage. Hope you had a good holy week.

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