🟫 the Stripping 🟫

Are we the only ones that
have lived in shame in
our abuse, agony and
pain?
Why did it happen?
Why did we
not stop the cruel acts?
Did the threats intimidate
us?

“But we have been abused”
we cry
our bodies and minds
we took on as our fault
the sins of the perpetrator
has eaten away at our
hearts
our dark secrets haunt us
at night, our pillows
drenched with tears, having
taken the burden upon ourselves
but it is just too heavy
to bear
In self reproach, beating our
backs with a whip, trying ever
trying to pay the price
As if we are stripped of
the things of this earth ready
to die – – – – –

There once was a Man who
who experienced this pain as we
in humiliation and scourging
he hung upon a tree
His robe torn from his body
his loincloth removed a
spectacle to the world despised

In disgrace, his garments
bickerd with tainted money
¹Beatened with a rod
with cuts and abrasions
a crown of thorns pressing

upon his head, nails driven
through the palms of his hands
one day becomings scars for us
Becoming an advocate for women
and children in their violence

our appetites and passions
he has born
tempted of the devil
denying himself bread
given to prayer instead
tasting bitter wine, spewing
it from his mouth giving
us power over our addictions

of the needle and bottle

The cry of the mob
“Crucify Him” as he hung
upon the cross
Crying “Father forgive them
for they know not what they do”
giving us the desire to forgive
our assassins and demons too

Desolate and forlorn when his
followers fled he understands
when we are left alone
In all of these things he was
stripped and given to death
only to rise again that his sons
and daughters may live

For there is not a sin that he
has not forgiven!