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Open Poetry #4
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Calvary
| Open Poetry #4 |
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Calvary |
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John Yaws Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860Texas 
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Calvary The rising sun shone brightly, o'er Mount Olives wooded crest, Another day in Israel, not much different than the rest. "There's to be a crucifixion," my commander said to me, "Those two thieves we have in prison, and some Jew from Galilee." We're commanded now to scourge Him, and the blood and flesh do fly, Through lips, both crushed and bleeding, He has uttered not a cry. Though His back is cut to ribbons, and His face is bruised and torn, In our eyes He found no pity, as we crowned His head with thorns. How I hate to see Barrabas, that rebellious, mur'drous scum, Cheat justice in the nick of time, his day had finally come. But the governor has ordered, by some fickle turn of fate, The Nazarene to take his place,, the whole crowd seems to hate. Though His back is torn and bloody, we have all seen blood before, We the pride of Caesar's legions, have all seen our share of gore. As the cross drops on His shoulder, from His lips I hear a groan, But the crowd has shown no pity, the assemblage moves on. On the road up to Golgotha, he fell beneath the load, We compelled a man from Cyrene, who was standing by the road, To bear His cross up Cal'vry, to lay it on the ground, We spreadeagled Jesus on it, as the scoffers gathered round. With a mallet and some rusty nails, we pierced His feet and hands, And then we raised the crosses at our officer's commands Into holes prepared beforehand, we dropped them with a thud. As the two thieves cried and cursed us, we were splattered by the blood. We parted there His garments; with their many blood stained spots, I also claimed His vesture, for I won it casting lots. The thieves they railed upon Him, with the jeering, mocking crowd, I think the priests were worst of all, their scornful taunts rang loud. "So you will build the temple? In the short span of three days? Why, six and forty years went by the last time it was raised! You, who fed the multitudes, caused blinded eyes to see, Come down, and prove yourself to us, if God, your Father be!" The thieves railed on Him likewise; "Come down from the tree! If God's indeed your Father, save yourself and us with thee!" One thief grew strangely silent, then in a different tone Cried, "Lord, wilt thou remember me when Thou art on Thy throne?" The Jew upon the middle cross, gazed tenderly his way, Then whispered through His thirst-parched lips, "I say to thee, Today... Today, my friend, you'll be with me," and then He bowed His head, "Forgive them for their ignorance...", I think is what He said. Right on the stroke of midday, our hearts near failed with fright, The noon sun ceased it's shining, the day grew black as night; The silence on the hillside was broke by shrieks of fear As if the end of time had come, and Judgement Day was here. For a space of three long hours, we couldn't see a thing, As "The Light, which lighteth every man", was suffering death's sting. Then at the evening sacrifice, they heard a dreadful wail, A priest ran from the temple, crying out, "The veil, the veil!" That veil within the temple, once a year was entered in, Then only by the High Priest to intercede for men; From top to bottom it was ripped, "as by an unseen hand", As though ‘twere saying, "Enter", to each and every man. Rocks were rent as by an earthquake, tombs were opened to the sun, Which once again was shining, for the darkness now was done. When we gazed upon the crosses, the Nazarene was dead, We looked on with amazement, for just now, He loudly said: "It is finished!" Then said something else, as I spoke to the men, It was something 'bout His Spirit, and "..into your Hands commend." Our commander's face grew somber, what he said next, sounded odd, Staring at the Jew, he spoke, "He was the Son of God." Stranger things were yet to follow, tales of dead which came to life, And the garden tomb found empty, there were rumors running rife! But of all the things which happened, the one I found most strange, Was our leader's transformation, and the way his life was changed! |
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| © Copyright 1999 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I am in awe! This is a magnificent poem! |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Beautifully done. I am reminded of the old hymn ... 'Were You There When They Crucified My Lord ?' Gunslinger, you took me there. Thank you. ------------------ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Magnificent....I am overwhelmed by the talent displayed in this piece. BRAVO!! |
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U K Hero Member
since 1999-08-08
Posts 266England |
best I've seen of this type well done Gunslinger. Tremendous |
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Ohme Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816Texas |
GS, beautifully told. ------------------ Yesterday is history, tomorrow just a mystery. And if today is good to me how could I ask for more? |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face. All that He went through for us. GOD ALMIGHTY, praise His Name. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece. It is definitely one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. ------------------ Denise |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Up you go! ------------------ Denise |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I have no words for the magnificence of this piece. I can only sit here in awe, wishing I had written it. It is by far the best poem I have seen on this site, mine included. Thank you, sir. |
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mojar Member
since 1999-11-09
Posts 169granbury, texas, usa |
this is only matched by the book that it comes from. thank you for such powerful words. |
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PhaerieChild Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787Aloha, Oregon |
GS, Wow!!! This is incredible! You have put it so powerfully. It is so hard to explain the crucifixion and this explains it so simply yet so forcefully. Very well done!!! ------------------ If you love me like music, I'll be your song. ~Heart~ Dreamboat Annie Shawna R. Holder Boise, Idaho |
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First__Knight Senior Member
since 1999-11-08
Posts 678 |
The Lord said" Whatever you do for the least of these you have done for me" with that known....you have done so much for any who would read this beautiful poem....and may your blessing find no end....Grace and peace be with you Gunslinger  |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Exceptional piece, Gunslinger. I am near speechless. Michael |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
There ya go again 'Slinger! With that genius schtuff again!!!! |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I'm speechless, GS... this is absolutely magnificent!!! |
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FreeByrd Member
since 1999-11-03
Posts 267 |
GS, Not a religious man, but this piece filled me with emotion. You have a talent -RS |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
This poem is so powerful, it will live forever in my memory Elizabeth |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
I've only just read this now and I'm completely in awe. This was so touching! How beautiful, John!  God bless America, my home sweet home. |
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