I H S

The gray man's haversack, cumbrous,
more so this night than any other.
Chiaroscuro* images, ponderous memories,
some drawn in whispers from guilt's roots

Lade of fear, burdened with proof, or lack of,
to rest it in the dark may cause other's stumble,
in light, it's onerous visage sap the vigor to
regain it, to leave it's to be fed to Cerberus*

The harshly angled wood beams of Golgotha*,
skewering of He whose death far more than
a pregnant woman denied a place to labor
is reason for this night's steepled toll

I H S
In Hoc Signo
(In this sign thou shalt conquer)

After a few days the Massacre of the Innocents*,
After a few centuries, when the furies changed
from North Wind to sirocco*, the diaspora
of the pagan solstice, feral celebration's end

After a few millenium ill wind yet blows,
they our Satan, we their Eblis*.
From the lyceum adjacent to the church
the choir practice drifts across snow,

carrys through an open window, whirls the
white arc over the blue wickt flame, reminder
of midnight mass, sung with father, the
unclaimed ashes coffee canned these 22 years

I H S
In Hac Salus
(In this (cross) is salvation)

There were no halos, no blue robed gilt
sleeved pageant, no wealthy men would
witness such poverty and walk away (?)
leaving inappropriate gifts

Just the glow of a loving mother
under guard of a working man,
the stench of two beasts of burden
and fear of controlling authority

A child in the minority
brought up in obscurity
who spoke the truth of light
who didn't run from the warrants,
fixed trial, death penalty

I H S
Iesus Hominum Salvator
(Jesus savior of Men)

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*chiaroscuro- the distribution of light and shade
in painting
*Cerberus-3 headed watchdog at the gates of
Virgil's hell
*Golgotha-The place of the skull,
An experience of intense mental suffering,
The place of Christ's crucifixion
*Massacre of the Innocents-young children killed by
Herod after Jesus' birth
*sirocco-hot, dry southern wind
*Eblis-Islamic evil spirit or
devil