Stations of the Cross, Haiku

Pilate condemns Him
Jesus’ silent voice cries out
I do it for you
His shoulders laden
With ancient olive cross beam
Willingly He goes
Stone under His feet
Catches tired body collapse
For your sins and mine
Sad eyes meet in pain
A mother’s love strengthens Him
With her sword-pierced heart
Simon kind giant
His shoulders take up the cross
Our burden he shares
Woman veiled in love
Veronica reaches out
Mirror of His pain
Body beaten down
He can no longer carry
Weight of all our sins
In sorrow they come
Bemoaning His suffering
Women weep not now
Complete objection
Dead weight of body crushed down
Thirsty blood-stained earth
Flesh torn wounds open
Jesus’ garments stripped from Him
Mary’s love-gift gone
Pain-seared hands and feet
Dull thud against wooden cross
His love nailed for us
Cross and Man nailed up
Shadow against a dark sky
Jesus crucified
Death’s revenge complete
Jesus rests in Mary’s arms
Weeping mother’s tears
Resting place at last
Cave tomb safe refuge today
Son will rise again

By Jean Dettenwanger

(Jean Dettenwanger is a member of Most Sorrowful Mother of God Parish in Vevay. She wrote this poem in Jerusalem on the way to Calvary in 1980.) †

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