Poor, jealous Judas, love-lorn puppy,

eyes stinging from the stench

and from the memory: “See

how he loved him!” they said

when Jesus wept,

and now this woman spilling fragrant

death all over. Her sister

rattles the plates on purpose.

Mary, rapt face hidden by her hair,

rolls at his feet.

Poor puppy, Judas, always attention-seeking,

pants, “Teacher! She’s doing it wrong.”

Martha hollow laughs. Lazarus ghosts.

Poor, jealous Judas, his passion betrayed,

swears his own lips will kiss him the last.

Only then will they understand;

maybe then they will weep to remember

how Judas loved him.

_____

Poor, jealous Judas, love-lorn puppy,

eyes stinging from the stench

and from the memory: “See

how he loved him!” they said

when Jesus wept,

and now this woman spilling fragrant

death all over. Her sister

rattles the plates on purpose.

Mary, rapt face hidden by her hair,

rolls at his feet.

Poor puppy, Judas, always attention-seeking,

pants, “Teacher! She’s doing it wrong.”

Martha hollow laughs. Lazarus ghosts.

Poor, jealous Judas, his passion betrayed,

swears his own lips will kiss him the last.

Only then will they understand;

maybe then they will weep to remember

how Jesus loved him.