take this cross

 take this cross, i said
a twist of the knife
in the wound
food for the dead
left out in the wind
a cross, like a rose
on your lover’s hair
a crown of thorns on my head
a cross, flaunt it
this time around
drive it thru’ my heart
like a stake
a cross, no pain, no gain
a runaway train
a cross, set with precious stones
for the pope in purple robes
a cross for the dying
a cross for the starving
a cross to stop my mouth
a clutter of crosses
in my begging bowl
a cross, stuff it.