A blush of Lenten blossom's face:
Pink and yellow's bold embrace!
Tears flow for Christ upon the cross,
Where didactic bas-reliefs emboss
The loathsome background, stark and bare,
And compassion's eyes forever stare
Gentle through nefarious wink,
Stitched in tones of fleshy pink—
Dark nucleus of potential harm,
Fraying around its jade-edged charm
That dangles from the saffron thread—
Runs through the eye of the needle's dread
And pricks deep down the dark blue vein,
Soaking canvas, blood-red stain,
Which reveals the awesome, gorgeous shame
Congealed in earth's diminished flame;
Thrice-denied, vile kiss to cheek,
Frenzied dyes of Passion Week
All transmute to scorching hue—
Drowning in the now of You!
Oh, do I dare embrace the face
Of saffron love and healing grace?