There are thoughts which are prayers. There are moments when, whatever the posture of the body, the soul is on its knees.
—Victor Hugo
Mercy! Mercy! These hands have worked none. Yet
It pours; mercy for the wretched thousands.
Hair lassoing fingers…eyes buried in
Darkened palms. Mercy!!!mercy for these hands
That paint contusions on flesh like frescos
(Rich-hued,,,black & blue)…like Michelangelo—
A last judgment on naked gods; gods‽
(Imago Dei) however, who’s hands
Create Wrath and charge it to “multiply,,,
Fill the earth, and subdue it (Merciless,,,
Ferrous hearted)!” Now, broken,,,hobbling,,,pained,,,
And gingerly to knees…hands to head. “Oh
For that miracle of sanguine tears—bloody
Mercy;;;mercy for the countless bruised.”
i. Kyrie eleison
ii. Gloria
iii. Credo
iv. Sanctus
v. Agnus Dei
7 May 2008 at 4:24 pm
It reads like a song..a dirge…
dog and (wo)man
9 May 2008 at 12:16 am
An emotional description of the crucifiction. A heartfelt poem.
9 May 2008 at 4:16 am
I believe - this is a vivid picture of desperation brought on by self-doubt
10 May 2008 at 10:56 pm
Yeah, I think this is a really fine piece of poetry!
13 May 2008 at 3:39 pm
Hair lassoing fingers…eyes buried in
Darkened palms…
Fantastic imagery. A call to one’s knees for me….
17 May 2008 at 5:40 pm
I’ve enjoyed reading all the poems in this series, excellent imagery
19 May 2008 at 2:04 pm
May the mercy come.
19 May 2008 at 4:07 pm
Such passion and power. Beautifully written prayer/poems.
19 May 2008 at 7:03 pm
Passionate and powerful, as was said. Well done.
19 May 2008 at 10:51 pm
Mercy for the countless bruised– Amen.
20 May 2008 at 12:45 am
I read this beautiful poem as an indictment of organized religion. It is very powerful.
21 May 2008 at 8:52 pm
This is not an indictment singling anyone or group of people out; it is more an indictment on humanity as a whole. The idea of this poem starts with me realizing how I have personally hurt those around me (physically, emotionally, spiritually et al.); I am responsible, but to focus exclusively on my responsibility is not a complete picture, for I too have been bruised. It is the human condition to play both (even at the same time) the perpetrator and victim. Certainly, I have been wounded by organizations, cultures and expectations as well as by single, particular people. We are all “broken,,,hobbling,,,pained”, but we have all multiplied and filled the earth with our wrath (may be raging out of our woundedness). The cry for mercy is therefore for those hurt by me and by others as well as for myself who, too, has been severely victimized.
That said, if you have been wounded by organized religion it is appropriate for you to echo the cry for mercy as one of the “countless bruised”…
Even more appropriate is to grieve all of your bruises. This includes the ones that you personally bear by other’s hands, but also the ones you personally bestowed on others. Here, Noam Chomsky comes to mind, who appears to me to be one of the loudest and most profound contemporary voices calling for justice. When asked about America’s transgressions he says that America can do nothing good or bad; it is an abstract entity…rather, responsibility lies with you and me who allow these transgressions to continue—even abound. So it is with all evil, sin or injustice; we become complicit if even in our silence…we should grieve our participation in it!