The Triumphal Entry: Or, Piercings

A poem on the occasion of February 14, 2024 being both Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday.

from dust to dust
we seek a little death
a touch, a cross, a thrill

there was an arrow shot before time,
arched ecstatically into the heart of things.
in the middle moment, that shaft into flesh
spouted a bouquet 
of blood and water from his side:
incarnation in carnations.

a sword shall pierce your heart too,
grief that turns stone to flesh.
unthinkable to be touched 
like that, by that Spirit

drink deep, greedy lips and eyes
blind with soot and sweat and your glimpse of Passion
naked glory not obscene, no
– too grand for this our wooden O
fired to ash, and dust
at his quickening death.