Stigmata 1 by Joe Peterson

Stigmata - 1

by Joe Peterson

Your bowed head

in silent witness

Thorns plunging deep into your flesh

A stark contrast

to the pride

With which I held my own

Independence

and self-assurance

Causing my eyes not to see

The spear piercing

the spot beside you

I was so eager to vacate

I went proudly walking along

Betraying my own feet

Flayed by sharp sins on the path of destruction

Overlooking yours

that pierced by iron

might have born me safely

I delighted

in my ignorance

Unthinkingly turning my back

on the grace freely given

The love exhibited

by your stripes

Despite your attempts

to bring my soul to repentance

I stood defiantly

My own fist

clenched so tightly

the nails dug into your palms.