Go away.
I do not want your cheap consolation.
You are too beautiful in your flaming robes.
What do you know of death and loss?
That is for you to teach me.
I have not come to speak this time
But to sit in silence
Watching out the night.
My God, my God!
Would that I had died instead of you,
My son, my son.
Yes.
The moon is rising, it’s getting cold.
He is beyond reach of cold now in his dark hole.
Hush, hush. These strange human tears wound me like stones.
He suffered and served you for this?
Where was the flaming chariot, why
Did you abandon him to sorrow and grief?
Yes.
Was he anointed for affliction
My innocent boy, disfigured
Struck down by God – oh.
Yes.
Is that it? Isaiah?
‘The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all’?
Very well. I think I understand
But let me alone a little longer
To weep for him
It’s still hard for me, my Lord.
Hush, hush. Let them flow.
Let me tell you a story, my Lady,
one you already know.
When Israel escaped at the Red Sea
and the chariots and horsemen were drowned
we burning ones began to sing before the Glory
and he said
‘The work of my hands is drowned in the sea,
and you would offer me a song?’
And we saw the tears of the Holy One, blessed be He.
What are you telling me?
Does my Lord weep with all who weep
And suffer agony in cruel death
Is it on Him the chastisement of our sin is laid?
You saw him bear it royally upon the cross.
Him? My boy? Messiah yes, but this is blasphemy.
Have you forgotten that night filled with angels
When he was born?
Hidden in your nature
Emptied of glory the Glory walked
Overflowing with love like tears.
Yes. I know it now, so I can let him go
In peace back to his heavenly mansion.
Do not smile.
What more have I not understood?
No, do not tell me. I am very weary
And no longer young. I will sleep now.
Sleep, my Lady. You will see him tomorrow.
tRuth 2002
NB the story Gabriel tells can be found in the Talmud, Megillah 10b and Sanhedrin 39b.
image Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
poem prayer silence 