A visitor who carried his Cross

I wrote this poem on Good Friday 2000 in Khartoum, Sudan. Simon of Cyrene who carried Jesus’ cross [Luke 23:26] is one of the characters in the Bible I admire and want to emulate.

A VISITOR WHO CARRIED HIS CROSS
A Good Friday Poem

Brother Simon,
What brought you
all the way from Cyrene
to Jerusalem
the day they crucified
the Lord?


The Bible tells us
you helped him carry his cross.

Where were all those who were
fed,
healed,
raised from the dead,
whose sight was restored,
whose sins were forgiven,
from whom demons were cast out?

Where were those who followed Him?

You were just a visitor.
It was neither your choice nor
your responsibility.

It must have slighted your Cyrenian pride,
offended you, Jerusalem’s guest.

Yet, you carried it
without a word
until they placed Him there.

We hear of you only once: a detail in the drama,
a hidden extra among the cast,
Yet you carried his cross when he could not.
Thank you, Brother Simon,

Thank you.

(Simon helped carrying the Cross of Jesus)