Crucifixion by Rainer Maria Rilke

translated by Len Krisak (April 2014)

Long practiced prodding up the hill the mob

the heavy henchmen lay there in a lull,

with only now and then some beefy gob

turned up to gaze at three so all-consumed.

above the free men lolling at their leisure . . .

of them now burned to see with one desire.

And so, to stay Him from His final fall,

the greedy offered vinegar to gall

the dwindling cough with which He would expire.

perhaps Elijah might materialize?

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