Contrition Poem by Kevin Rice

Harsh were the times we lived in
Austere were the laws of Moses and of Rome
And in our servitude
We women of Jerusalem
Knew well our place
In the affairs of men

And during the feast of Sukkoth
By ill-starred misadventure,
I found myself uncovered in adultery.
They cast me headlong
Into the seething hornets' nest
Of Scribes and Pharisees.
No pity could I hope for there
Only the cold oppressive hand
Of their unsparing law

By edict of Leviticus
Was I condemned
And on to the Court of Gentiles
They marched their tainted quarry in disgrace
Mocking my pleas for mercy
Delighting in my distress
The Nazarene was there
A master of wonders and deeds incredible,
Holding the crowd that circled him in thrall
With words that dazzled them,
With tidings of a kingdom yet to come
Fashioned from hearts renewed

'Didaskale', the crowd said unto Jeshua
Setting the snare, preparing the web
Wherein to tangle him
'Should she be stoned according to the law?
Should she not reap
the whirlwind of her sin
In shame and degradation? '

No answer came
So they insisted more,
Impatient for their falsehood to prevail,
Where any 'yeah' would brave the rule of Rome
And any 'nay' discredit him
Defile his doctrine, and bring him low
So as they pressed their suit
Downward he stooped
And wrote upon the dust
His finger there inscribed
The testament of their duplicity.
Inviting any man, untouched by sin
To lift a stone and be the first to cast
He traced their names and sins upon the earth
For them to witness
Ere the winds erased them

No need had he to ask,
'Where is the man? '
Each read his judgement
In the dust below
The stones fell from their hands
As, one by one,
They turned and walked away
Till only I remained
Alone with my saviour

I made delay
And waited for his question
Relating to my guilt or innocence
Instead he raised himself
And asked of me
If no one had condemned me for my deed

'No, sir, ' said I
And on his next rejoinder
I wept in deep contrition
And left him,
Thereafter heedful of his charge
To sin no more.