Sign of the Cross

The cross, an instrument
Of torture and of misery
On which Jesus and thousands
Died in painful agony
Is now used as a holy symbol
Of God, religion and the heavenly
Which is an amoral effrontery,
If this good, righteous Jew, Jesus,
Would find the cross used in his name,
He would consider it a cruel shame,
Were he to hear the sad tales
Of the Crusades and Inquisition
And other horrid acts of perdition
Or the killing of his people - the Jews,
He would call it terrible news
And ask God and the world:
"For this I paid my dues?"

Yes, Jesus, brilliant,
Honest, decent, brave,
Would in utter despair
Turn in his grave.

Alfred Charasz
Copyright 2007 Alfred Charasz