Early Polls

by flammeusgladius

THE EARLY POLLS

 

 

 

The early polls rule sacrifice absurd.

What does Christ think he’s doing on the Cross,

hanging between a pair of groaning thieves

whom even fellow thieves regard as fools

for being caught? How this suspension grieves

well-wishers who will always mourn the loss

of one who offered word on golden word,

of one who once seemed absolutely wise!

Philosophers can’t found enduring schools

from such a base. The experts all agree

that Christ has climbed Golgotha to a blunder

from which his once-bright fortunes cannot rise.

How sad to see such promise falling under

a fatal cloud! But then, that’s history.

 

 

 

–TOM RILEY

 

 

(First appeared in The Lyric, v. 75, n. 3, Spring 1995.)