Man Beneath The Cross
Once A Savior, Now The Crucifier
I’m being hunted by figures who don’t exist.
Even when I can’t see them, I still feel them there.
I wouldn’t be so far away if they’d just desist.
I want them to leave, but He won’t answer my prayer.
//
They say I am a reincarnation of Him
As if I’m nearly as benevolent or strong.
Wherever He walks, he teaches us how to swim
Unless we swim in blood when we’re aware it’s wrong.
//
As for me, it was an innocent person’s blood,
My one true disciple among the illusions.
She was the only one I murdered in my flood.
Why do they believe in these stupid delusions?
//
Selective killing, my only shared trait with Him
But He still gave himself up to salvage the rest.
I'm still here and I murdered someone on a whim.
I can’t believe I call slaughter trying my best.
//
The only ones following me now are stalkers,
Taunting me for how I disgrace the path He tread.
Where I tried to walk, she drowned in darker waters,
But I shouldn’t worry about it now that she’s dead.
//
Are those the words of a merciful deity?
Does He mistake his close friends for fabrications?
Does He give in to his mind’s spontaneities?
No? Then don’t look at me with His expectations.
//
You can’t expect someone like me never to sin.
Looking up at Him on His cross, I fall to my knees.
Summoning these floods, how am I at all like Him?
Dragging beneath the waves everyone I can seize.
//
Despite my efforts, I’ll never match the divine.
Guess I’m not supposed to be the savior this time.
About the Creator
Daniel Freeman
A friend accidentally got me into writing. Now I can't stop!
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Comments (1)
This is a wild and creative piece. I like the punch you packed in the last two lines, admitting to humanity, frailty, and insufficiency. I, as a Catholic Christian, am very comfortable reaching chapter 15 of Mark's gospel and leaving it there to be meditated upon, though one must always turn the page and keep going, in a book and in life. The crucifix of Jesus is a constant and nealy omnipresent reminder in my life of Jesus' sacrifice for all humanity, but death was not victorious in that story. This was a very long way to say I look forward to a part two of this poem where a resurrection takes place and hope is restored. Don't linger in your failures and sins, turn to Jesus and He will bring you out of the darkness! I really enjoyed this work and I'm very impressed you slipped through the cracks of Vocal's authoritarian rules about religious content. :) peace always, Emily