Jackie A. Strange

The Auction

The dark, dismal sky belched bilious clouds
of navy and black that hovered over the
crucifixion cross marked "King of the Jews."
Howling winds screeched gossipy gasps...sulking...
Howling again as if bowing to curtain calls.

Demonic dice were cast
drunken men rolled
and Mary cried softly.

Rising above the chanting of the calloused crowd
echoed the auctioneer's plea, "What will you give
for the man of Calvary?" Silence fell as certain
as the curtain ends a Shakespearean tragedy
but no one bid for the auctioneer's ...