Judas Poem by John Rickell

Judas



What did you do dear Judas? Why did you dear Judas?
Were you not the brightest of the twelve
Could you not see the plan that would have taken you with me
To those dreamed heights? Could you not wait?
Why could you not dear unhappy Judas?


The books you kept so well, of the cash we held,
Were of the same importance as the rest we'd done.
The way to heaven is not paid with cash,
But we were on the earth and needed you,
My dear unhappy Judas


We shared the road and joked together,
You knew me better than the others
And saw the God beneath the man...as could the Sanhedrin,
But God on earth was not for them, but it was for you,
Dear dead Judas.


John will call you thief say you cared not for the poor,
Part of my ministry was yours, now they'll divide it up.
It was a friendly supper, we dipped together,
I chose you..............
You will take much blame Simon’s son,
Man of Kerioth should I have chosen you?
Was I right, you of Judea not Gallilee?
John was kind, loved him best, was I wise Judas?
He will be bitter ‘it was dark outside’
Dramatic yes and bitter,
Oh! Judas.....Judas.... Judas dear dead Judas.


Those soldiers Judas were they really necessary- -
Or the staves? But you were hurt.
I trusted you: you had no choice.
‘He that eateth with me
Hath lifted up his heel against me’
A piece of bread to bait you
A piece of bread
Bread!
Oh! My dear unhappy Judas


You should not have given back the silver
But kept it for the others, they’ll need it now,
Not you or me.
Your neck is bruise your lovely name is sullied
No sweet child will pride the name of Judas
Which is a shame,
Jesus will live and be addressed to other men,
Dear dead Judas.


Oh! Judas the pain! the pain if this is triumph I’d hate to lose!
But I’ve nearly had enough
You are gone before but soon we shall meet, dear friend.....
Before the others,
So be consoled, your dream will wake
Fulfilled with me in Heaven,
Where we can talk unleavened talk,
My dear dead unhappy Ju................
1970

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