For Good Friday

Early in 2025 I was invited by artist Peter Wright to respond with some creative writing to one of his wood cut ‘Stations Of The Cross’. He chose for me Station 11 “Jesus is nailed to the cross”.  A number of poems, prayers and reflections were written and bought together in a booklet.  Here are a couple of poems and intercessions from that collection. For Peter and for me all inhumanity, all suffering and death is, in some mysterious way, taken into the crucifixion.   I would encourage the reader to read slowly – take a bit of time.  See if there might be something here.

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Intercession

In a world where women and men are abused and 
humiliated you Lord say, “me too”. 
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy

In communities where black bodies are stabbed, 
constrained and beaten, you Lord whisper, “me too”. 
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy

In places where weak voices are not heard, your eyes, 
Lord, say “me too”.
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy

In secret rooms where bodies are twisted, stretched and 
contorted, your body Lord says “me too”. 
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy

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Holy Saturday

I am lowered down
down into Adam’s wound
down into my own hurting
and there, astonished I find
a pearl of great price. 
So I shall be still, 
I will find that centre
yielding to the ocean.
Opening myself to the hate 
and even the nails of the cross.
And in so doing, I shall be open to
the abundance of love.

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