The Wandering Jew Poem by Randy McClave

Cartaphilus, they say was his name
Through betraying was his fame,
And what did this lucid man really do
To be known forever as the Wandering Jew.

Some say that he was a simple shoemaker
While others say a guard or a doorman or a toll taker,
But, a prisoner he hit and then spat on his face;
(He saw the prisoner as a disgrace) .

Through pain and desire he enjoyed to coerce
So, upon him there was placed an eternal curse,
He would forever scavenge and he would never reap
And never would he stop, or even have a restful sleep.

Cain, the son of Adam was issued a similar penalty
When he went against God and from shame he did flee,
And like Cain, Cartaphilus must alone journey this Earth
Always knowing of death, and also knowing of birth.

There will be some that are standing here
Which shall not know the taste of death, but only fear,
Then that fear and guilt they shall all overcome
When they see the son of man coming into his kingdom.

Cartaphilus, struck with his fist and not a rod
A prisoner, who was also a Jew, and the son of God,
So, from what he did, and not from what he knew;
He will always be known as the Wandering Jew.

Randy L. McClave