Account Of Calvary Poem by Tafadzwa Mhondiwa Mugari

Account of Calvary
(Luke 23: 32-43)

I hung on a cross nearly 2000 years ago.
No, don't misunderstand me:
Three crosses in a row at Calvary
On the ends hung two scum of the earth
In between they crucified the One with the power and
Authority to save Himself and me, too

Looking out on the scene as I suffered
I couldn't understand what I was seeing
Cold-hearted people, refusing to believe
All that their King had personally shown and told them
for three years,
Killing Him in a fit of jealous rage.

I suppose it would've been easy enough for me
To have been down there with them
If it weren't for the fact that
I was wearing my shame on my back and
It towered over me, holding me a few feet off the ground.

In my left ear I heard the wretch-like-me
On the other side of the Victim
Spew more words of doubt at Him.
Challenging Him to demonstrate the power He said He has
And to gingerly, magically remove Himself and us from our crosses

I knew it was too late for that–
You can goad a goat but not a God–
Hadn't this man told us to bear our cross and follow Him?
Well, there we were, just as the Script directed

Through my sweat and tears of agony
I summoned sound to my parched throat
And signified the wretch-like-me, saying
Man, don't you fear God,
Considering you ain't in no better shape right now!
Then my voice choked off in hoarseness
And I muttered faintly the memorable words
That many would read for the next two hundred decades
We, indeed, have been condemned justly,
For we are getting what we deserve for our deeds,
But this man has done nothing wrong.
Though I cannot remember what I did wrong
Because I've done so many things wrong.

Now every day I must go through a ritual suicide,
Remembering my cross experience
And struggling with every moment to recall the words
I heard myself saying next.

Jesus, remember me when You come in Your Kingdom.