What is this Cross? – That we surround ourselves with,
From Birth – baptized with the Cross crowning us
Through Life – when fear or sickness assaults us
We draw its protective sign (arms) around to guard us
While in Life’s journey it goes before and guides us
With each new venture – be it a solemn marriage
Or uncertain steps through the worlds many mazes,
The Cross is always there to bless us and
When in eternal sleep our eyes we close, we commit
Our Soul to God and seal it with its sign.
We are born under its shadow and however far
We might wander, weary or worn, we always return
To its enfolding arms to find our peace and rest.
Yet, do we realize its significance while we live?
Is the Cross just a symbol or is it our way of life?
Of what use, is all this talk of carrying the Cross
If we bear its burden only for worldly rewards –
Some paltry name, fame or some fringe benefits?
What is a Cross without Christ?
It would have remained a symbol of punishment
A piece of wood, an instrument of law,
The face of Death seen by a murderer, a thief
Or a rebel against society – political or religious.
Are we also not one of these?
Do we not murder men –
When we break their hopes
When we stab in the back
With malicious gossip out of pitiful envy!
Do we not thieve –
When we desire what is not ours
When we waste somebody’s time
Their life!
Are we not rebels too –
All of us at heart sometimes, somewhere
Whether it is against ideas
Norms or even people!
This Tree of Justice, this Cross –
If judged, we would have been condemned to
Found guilty and sentenced to hang upon till death.
But, with Christ, this same piece of wood, this Cross
Is transformed into an instrument of Love Divine,
The Hope of Life Eternal it offers
To all sinners repentant. This piece of wood,
This Cross, which we all love and cling to
Which shows the way to Freedom and Life – All because,
This piece of wood, this Cross was the portal through which
Christ stepped into the jaws of Death and victorious
Brought forth Eternal Life for us.
Oh! Cross of Shame! Cross of Agony and pain!
To me, thou art the Tree of Hope and Life!
This is one of your best poems. Life is full of symbolisms. This is where we get strength and direction in our life.
The cross is the symbol of the entire sins of mankind...Christ carried them walked selflessly towards death came out a victor...cross with out Christ has no meaning...powerful write, Angelina...10
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
two lines one perpendicular, long and other horizontal short, make a cross..... angel cross is beyond suffering the perpendicular line is long, nothing but your ego and the horizontal is the sword of god.... cross is cutting of that ego that you possess until death.......