I, the Unknown Soldier

The sun burnt down ferociously
when he stumbled
and on an unknown passer I laid my hand
giving my orders, on the way to His crucifixion.

The bloodthirsty crowd and I showered
our curses, slander and humiliation on Him
but His eyes cut into my very soul and He was silent
stoical with unsurpassable love

and when I took the big hammer, drilling nails through Him
planting the cross with comrades in a hole and hanging Him,
thunderbolts were unleashed, nature lost its laws
and I a soldier, a mere human was caught

to a deed crying to high heaven
where I crucified God Himself and He pardoned me.

[Reference: Ek, die onbekende soldaat (I, the Unknown Soldier) by Ernst van Heerden.]

poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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