Crown of Thorns

or

The Sacrifice

I wear a burning crown of thorns,

My pain, my shame,

A scornful burden of the soul

All aflame.

My heart despairs in agony

For it alone

Shares in the silent misery

I've always known.

-

I wear a carved and broken smile,

Deranged, unkind,

A dark, demented Cheshire grin

That twists my mind.

Myself, I do not recognize,

Hope shattered so

I beg "Oh God, please let it end!

Please let me go…"

-

I wear shackles on foot and hand

Heavy as lead,

As heavy as an iron bell

Tolling in dread.

I stare, with glazed and haunted eyes,

At the floor

And watch my tears land in the dust

And hope no more.

-

I wear a burning crown of thorns,

My pain, my shame,

But for this pain, I've only got

Myself to blame.