She hath wings

How could You have stood there,

Without a word to say,

As they jeered and mocked and bound You up

Leading You away.

I would have had a thousand words

To silence all their lies,

But every word You didn’t say

Was spoken through Your eyes;

For while they made a fool of You,

And whipped You without cause,

Your heart was full of love for them –

Their sins became Your sores.

They led You through the temple courts

And brought You before the crowd –

People just like me were there,

Shouting out aloud.

And not one spoke at Your defence,

Though You had done no wrong;

They wanted someone else released

And You did not have long.

In just a little while, You were flogged some more –

Beaten to the ground;

Flogged and battered till You were crushed,

Yet no sin in You was found.

On and on they led You through

The streets where You had spread your fame –

They made You carry a heavy cross

 Though You were not to blame.

The journey was long and Your strength had waned

As You drew near to the place,

So they chose a man to share Your load –

Your burden, to embrace;

But none could imagine the agony You felt

Nor the pain of each new blow –

The torment as each nail drove through Your flesh 

I will never know.

They hoisted You up for all to see

And stripped Your dignity bare;

Your enemies and friends together, looked on,

As they crucified You there.

© M. Patterson 2004