Cross Roads Poem by Rhona McFerran

Crosses are confusing to me
each one leading down
a different path
each meaning something
different to someone else

There is that One
often overshadowed
redemptive Cross of CHRIST
leading up a rugged trail
of rigorous honesty
and unreasonable love-
but it's sometimes
hard to see in the crowd
of other crosses

Some crosses are cold symbols
of self-righteousness
and bigotry
leading down smooth highways
of self-deception and popularity

Still other crosses convey
themes of heritage and nationality
nostalgia of family
softly treading
their trails of tradition

While Hitler's cross symbolized
themes of arrogance and pride
briskly marching roads to
hatred and genocide

And other more subtle crosses
carry similar meaning
propping up political ideals
these burning crosses
fan flames of fear
and division
leading nowhere good

While so many crosses carry
no meaning at all
golden glittering
nothing but bling-
tossed about like Mardi Gras beads
accessorizing
a long but dead-end street

Too many crosses
crowding our view
‘til we are overwhelmed
with imagery
desensitized to meaning
forgetting that we
are at the crossroads of life