What Rough Beast | 11 05 20 | Michael Cunningham

Michael Cunningham
Crucifixion

After Jesus called out
father, father why have you
abandoned me?
He must have called
out for his mother.

She was there when the men
had flown in fear.

He must have called her

When then they whipped him, when they tormented him, when they spit on him,
When he wore the crown of thorns, when he carried the cross.

Isn’t that what all good boys do?
Call to their mama.
even when someone is
kneeling on their neck.

America, Jesus is still calling
is anyone listening?

—Submitted on 10/17/2020

Michael Cunningham is a school librarian and outdoor nature educator trained in Waldorf education and biodynamic farming.

SUBMIT to What Rough Beast via our SUBMITTABLE site.

If you enjoyed today’s poem and you value What Rough Beast, consider making a donation to Indolent Books, a nonprofit poetry press.




submit