the hammer

i was in the crowd the day that jesus died

and as he hung upon the cross

his mother cried

i saw the crown of thorns he wore

the stripe upon his back

and as the water and the blood ran out

then the sky turned black

my mind was filled with anger

my heart was filled with shame

this man brought only healing

who could bring him pain?

why does it seem the strong always victimize the weak?

suddenly i found myself

standing to my feet

and i cried

who nailed him there? this child of peace and mercy?"