randomWalks

The Name on My Cross

April 23, 1990

Fort Benning, Georgia

Juan Ramon Moreno S.J.,

I carried your cross

in the circular procession today,

shaking my rattle.

I confess

I leaned on your cross a little

during the speeches,

rattling my applause.

Then looked over my shoulder.

The soldiers stood

in little motionless groups

as if posing for photographs with their

personnel carriers,

in battle camouflage and riot gear.

They watched.

I couldn’t tell if they listened.

I hoisted your cross

and turned your name around to face them.

Not to accuse anyone:

I wanted to feel the weight of the wood.

And I wanted them to notice

You had a name.

Not just another dark-skinned man on a cross.

- Stephen Wing

originally posted by xowie