Sep 15 | Mark 14:43-52 (Poem)

Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. ⁴⁴Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ ⁴⁵So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. ⁴⁶Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. ⁴⁷But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ⁴⁸Then Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? ⁴⁹Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.’ ⁵⁰All of them deserted him and fled.

51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, ⁵²but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.

 

not i, not i

all deserted and fled

 

not i, not i

embedded in the heart

 

the sword of terror

the hands reach out

to grasp, to know

like an angel in sodom

i go

 

the force, the fear

hits a load-bearing wall

breaking all hope of honour

all followed and promised but none remain

the same who proclaimed passion

crumbled before a lashing expected

undelivered

we slithered

our legs hidden in knotholes, under trees

as punishment

 

i am not immune

i too

shattered before the coming of the storm

no honour worth nails and thorns

take it and leave me

i’ll give you everything

even though i promised it

to the prisoner