"On their way out, they came across a man
from Cyrene,called Simon, and enlisted him
to carry his cross."
    St. Matthew, 27:32

                                    I

What prompted the guard to decide his act
to choose, among the many, humble you?
Was it your cultural dress or the fact
that you stood mute in this loud crowd which strew
its mean contempt?  To you the duty fell
of bearing the symbol of time transfixed,
against which cruel hate, greed, and pride rebel,
in which faith, hope, and love are firmly mixed.
From Cyrene you came, citizen of sand,
the potent members of all desert lands,
the blanket granules of each ocean's band,
the countless image of Abraham's clans.
"Pick up this cross." To you the Roman bawled,
and you then heeded to which all are called.
 
 

    ":He said, 'The Son of man is destined to suffer
grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests
and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up
on the third day.'
    Then, speaking to all, he said, 'If anyone wants
to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself
and take up his cross every day and follow me.
Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it;
but anyone who loses his life for my sake, will save it.
What benefit is it to anyone to win the whole world
and forfeit or lose his very self?'"
    St. Luke, 9:22-25

                            II

Good Simon did you know, had you a clue,
of the end outcome of this tortured day?
Was pious innocence that kind virtue
that nurtured you on this sorrowful way?
Symbolic model from Good Friday on
you have come to be for each woman's child
who loves the One, our God; that from this dawn
the task rings clear to serve the undefiled.
You walk behind the firstborn son of she
who honored God's bequest, who lovingly
responds to him, and brings his love to free
the lost from strident human misery.
From his torn shoulder, it was Love you claimed
the simple wood construction of death framed.
 
 
 

    "And there are other sheep I have that are not
of this fold, and I must lead these too.  They too
will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock,
one shepherd.
    The Father loves me, because I lay down my life
in order to take it up again."
    St John, 10:16,17

                            III

How marvelous the gift, how great the task
to aid the one with heaven's Love possessed,
the one designed to defeat death's pale mask,
the one of whom the great prophets professed.
You, Simon, unknown to Peter and they
who fled, stand with our Lord and lift his cross
and for him the scepter of Love convey;
in which truth is victory, and lies, loss.
Encourage me bless'd servant by this deed
to do my part and carry Jesus' tree
and for his Love all selfishness exceed
and proclaim with him the Grace that is free.
So like you may I humbly serve the King
and in his loving our redemption cling.

                            © E. David