Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SISTER OF SORROW: 2. WEEPING CROSS, by GORDON BOTTOMLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SISTER OF SORROW: 2. WEEPING CROSS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now when you come to weeping cross
Last Line: "who kissed as judas kissed."
Subject(s): Crosses


"NOW when you come to Weeping Cross"
The priest said, the priest said,
"You shall kneel bare-kneed on the wounding stones
As you knelt at the dead man's head.

"And when you have prayed at Weeping Cross"
The priest hissed, the priest hissed,
"You shall kiss the mould where nettles spring,
As the dead man's face was kissed.

"A kiss for the chilling kiss you gave
Before you used your knife;
A kiss for the burning kiss you gave
Beseeching him back to life.

"Go, bare your body at Weeping Cross;
And pray each passer-by
To cast a stone for love of your soul,
Whether you live or die."

"I'll weep and pray for a night and a day"
The woman said, the woman said;
"But weeping brings no ease to me
Since my lap held that head.

"I sealed my daughter's shame with a knife
When I kept my daughter's tryst:
It is but just that I should die
Who kissed as Judas kissed."





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