Crucifixion by Craigie Ronald John Aitchison (1926–2009)
WHEN IT WAS FINISHED When it was finished His mother's heart was fully pierced. When it was finished Crows fought for the unfurling ribbon of his last words. And when it was finished Darkness rose from broken tombs stars and comets crossed the sky Judas lit a single candle in the upper room. When it was finished: Three soldiers in camos and balaclavas snapped their steel wands and pushed the crowd back from the high mound his friends lowered the cross closed his eyes and pulled the nails a wild dog slunk up to him sniffed his matted hair and stood gazing at his face. When it was finished The rain began and the rain washed him and he was annointed and the women wrapped his body. And when it was finished They left him to the tomb and made their way past endless rubble through checkpoints and concertina wire made their way past trash fires into narrow lanes past grilled and boarded storefronts into darkened parlors of frightened men and hungry children. And when it was finished Hell welcomed Him and knelt before Him asking if he had died for them
as well. Richard Wells Good Friday 2010