Sandra Savage
Second Prize: 2013 Utmost Christian Poetry Contest $500
About this Poet:
Sandra Savage was born in Saskatoon and moved to Calgary in 1992. She has studied poetry with Patrick Lane, Richard Harrisson, Micheline Maylor, and Margaret Gibson. She has previously won the Utmost Christian Poetry contest (2011), placed 2nd in the Freefall poetry contest, and was picked for www.versedaily.com. Sandra is an avid birdwatcher..
The Cock Crows for Me
Good Friday: The Solemn Liturgy of The Lord’s Passion
Calgary, Alberta April 10, 2009
Anti-clockwise procession, Crucifer, Clergy, rewind time two thousand years
that twisted, fate-filled day
I struggle but lose, my friend drags me into Lower Deck Pub, Halifax
the crowd sings along—I don’t sing, especially in public.
We order beer, fish and chips, I’m told of the band, a legend
our congregation becomes the crowd, stands outside, parched,
fierce Jerusalem winds whip sand against our legs, scour them,
white service sheets reflect the sun’s sear, dare us to speak,
last call arrives with our food, the band begins their number, the one,
the crowd has waited, becomes the chorus, faster and faster, their energy
drives them forward, the band calls them to slow down, unheeded
unimaginable words of accusation, we begin quietly, before Pilate, splendidly robed
priests encourage, the mob gains momentum makes the words their own
each line less resistance no resistance embraced believed
I alone sit, but feel myself dragged into the frenzy, feel the anger,
injustice, accusations, feel like I belong with the crowd want to belong
and notice by the final chorus that I am on my feet
impatient the people scuffle their feet want Pilate’s answer wait wait for a decision
will wait no more demand a verdict
on my feet, I scream
GODDAMN THEM!!
with the crowd, I demand
CRUCIFY HIM!!
that wasn’t me I didn’t want to
I just followed them they made me
I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE!
released onto cold wooden pews hot wooden benches
I distance myself from that crowd that ruckus
meekly receive bread and wine drink beer, eat haddock
make my way out, part of me left behind
brush sand from my clothes, feel new inside
Copyright ©2013 Sandra Savage