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.