Posted in Posted by Emily Dickinson

During one day, while reading  from the Bible for schoolwork, I ran across Lamentations. Not expecting anything spectacular from a book so small, I set out to read it. During the reading, I was struck by imagery so strong that I could not help but write down what I saw...and here is the result.

Lamentations of the Abandoned and Distressed

Oh, the sins. My terrible sins.
Together, so cruelly, they're
plaited and braided.
Into a rope, binding my throat,
as a royal jewel, shouting out
what I admit, what I have done.
I stand on the platform,
staring out, over the angry faces,
wondering, wondering,
Was there a way, a way to
undo,
the abhorrent things that I've done,
that I've said, that I've thought.
But no. This must be. For it
was me. Me alone, with the
Detestable One, whispering, murmering,
the words that i wanted to hear.
Where is he? He  left me to die slowly. 
But now, oh to take them back.
As they ready to make the last
blow, the crowd screams out their
hatred. The noose tightens, and I look
to the skies, black and brooding.
Then lo, a voice a lone,
glorious voice, commands softly,
from the crowd.
"I will take his place. So it
has been written, shall it be done."
They take off the rope which
so heavily lay on my cursed neck.
But I see the face, of the
One who comes near, love, pity,
and woe in His eyes. Eyes
that pierce my own.
They lay that  horrid rope of all my wrong doings
over His sweet head, guilty
of no evil, ever.
He looks up, as the skies clear,
and with His last breath, he turns
to me, love and hope come from
Him.
As I weep, I beg them "No, NO!"
But then they pull the lever,
And my Savior is dead.
   But wait and see.
   Just wait.

-Emily Dickinson