THE FRUIT OF THE TREE OF PAIN

In the garden of ghosts and memories

he pleaded for his life

like Isaac did before –

but unlike then, there is

no other ram to be sacrificed.

Burdened by all our sins,

he carried his death

through the city streets,

carrying his personal hell

the way a snail hauls his shell.

At the appointed place,

he submits to the deathly embrace

of the wooden arms of the cross,

his body ripening fruit

on the tree of pain.

The binding ropes

coil round him, like the snake

in another garden long ago,

and the nails of each betrayal

are rammed home to him.

He forgives them all –

though he drinks the vinegar

of bitter memories

and is anointed King

with his own blood.

Afterwards, he is gathered

to his mother, cradled against

her breasts full of sorrow,

till he is placed in the dark womb

of death’s temporary tomb.