Falling the Third Time

Jesus falls again, for the third time

the dark skin of his hands and knees

raw and broken

blinded by blood



from the torn flesh of his brow

still, he moves on

so that we may be forgiven

loving us that much



A final kenosis, embracing emptiness

emptying himself completely, his blood

poured out upon the streets

of Jerusalem, for you, for me



this is what I want to know from you now

when will we do the same for one another

and I know you may say that it isn't needed

but I tell you that it is, at least in our hearts



we must learn again and again, how to die

for the sins of the world, how to give birth

to Christ's compassion, if the Resurrection

is meant to mean anything at all



we too must walk

the same hard and bloody road

through Jerusalem, as did Jesus

his road to our forgiveness






Ron Starbuck


Copyright 2010