Poems of the Passion
Johnson, Josephine & Alleyn, Violet & Colum, Storey Padraic & Field, Mildred Fowler
March 31, 1926 'HE COMMONWEAL POEMS OF THE PASSION 577 'Palm Sunday or voices There is a sound of wind far-off . Above the water of an organ weaving "Hosanna" of the elements. ...
...Violence and judgment He is between: "I shall ordain soon for Him Pains have never yet been...
...For Mary there was twilight, And one star that kissed the hill...
...The rhythm changes, beats a minor murmur: Winds in the garden...
...Pants <tAngelicus I have looked over the low wall of heaven, Where, to and fro, The happy lovers take the air at even, Before they go To the long board where Joy, the pure and holy, Breaks Love's own bread For all who come—the greatest and the lowly Alike are fed...
...Josephine Johnson...
...Violet Alleyn Storey...
...The vesture that makes one with Thee our soulMay we keep whole...
...May none Obscure within the revelation...
...and this no golden symbol— Not the slow kneeling of a congregation...
...a cry...
...Ooeeh...
...She once again replies "Even as the Spirit says...
...Ooeeh...
...Still is she full of grace...
...She looks upon her Son...
...For Mary there were shadows, A lily's breath, a leaf That tore her mind with pity And nailed her soul with grief...
...Christ Consoles the Women of Jerusalem Heavy His Cross is: He drags beneath its beam, Yet, women of Jerusalem, Weep not for Him: Weep for your children rather, For that they cannot see The true Son of David, The Saviour—shown ye...
...O Lord Also to us say the revealing word...
...Tumult of arms, glitter of shields and torches— Not the white petalling of new altar candles— But beacons dipped in blood and cruel feet marching...
...Mildred Fowler Field...
...Rations of the Cross Christ before Pilate Here Pilate's court is: None may clatter or call...
...Ooeeh...
...But the dead ring of agony and black winds Blasting the city with the sin of ages...
...Padraic Colum...
...For Martha there were food-stuffs, The smell of yeast, a broom That kept her mind away from One hanging in the gloom...
...Christ Is Taken Down from the Cross Though pitiful it is to see The wounds, the broken body, (The body that was, alas, As fair as lily of the grass...
...sound of soldiers marching...
...Christ Meets His Mother Silence between these two: The Angel Gabriel's word Comes back: in her Son's eyes She sees what then she heard...
...a city Blue in the hot, white brass that is the morning...
...There is the sound of wind . . . and voices walking— Not choristers in purple caps and cassocks— But a brown multitude with palms and garments To fling before the Humble One...
...May we This Body in its glory come to see...
...not measured music— But the slow beat of feet and wailing sorrow Wrenched from the million-throated monster, milling Down to the market-place...
...Ooeeh...
...who wins will get What's high enough in price To pay a tavern debt...
...Christ Is Stripped of His Garments "Would'st have me share this cloth, Dividing it with sword...
...and hammers driven To the sharp crunch of nails in living cypress...
...Though the brow with thorns was riven, And the spear through the side was driven, It was all for our healing done, Mother, by thy Son...
...The daily miracle is never hidden From us below-— But what it is to watch the feast unbidden Only the starving know...
...Gjood Friday For Martha there were dishes To be washed, at close of day, And bread to set for breakfast And crumbs to sweep away...
...O LordSilence in us the condemning word...
...Nay, fellow, we will keep it whole— But harken to my word: Behind the Cross the dice We'll throw...
...For her were trees and springtime Beyond her window-sill...
...Each stands as still as Stone in the wall...
Vol. 3 • March 1926 • No. 21
