Ill-timed Epiphany

When I stare at the crucifix hanging

Above the altar at a Catholic friend’s funeral.

I do not see the crown of thorns or

The five holey wounds.

 

All I see is the outline of a lifted up figure,

Covered in a purple shroud because it is Lent.

Without context, it could be any stick figure human, god,

garment hung out to dry, or monster that visits in dreams.

 

But this is a Catholic church we’re talking about,

And Easter is still a couple of weeks away,

So I know it’s supposed to be Jesus

Sent to save our souls from ours sins.

 

Hmmm, I think, possibly a lesson here.

 

Maybe it really is Jesus, but while mourning

His death and the sins that killed him,

We also cover his eyes and ears so he

Knows not what we do and say in his name.