Poem April 5, 1952 Issue

SIMON OF CYRENE

Hazel Harper Brandner

Cyrenian Simon, did you guess that hate
Had added to his cross its crushing weight
When Jesus groaned and sank beneath the load
Upon the stony way of Calvary's road?
When they who led him forced his cross on you,
What did the world's rejected Saviour do
Amid the scornful crowd? Perhaps he turned
And looked into your eyes with love that yearned
For understanding as you followed him.
Then, having mounted Golgotha's worn rim,
You must have lingered till your thought was sure That this was God's dear Son, divinely pure.

When word that he had risen from the tomb
Dispelled the sky's unprecedented gloom,
How glad you must have been for your small part
In easing his great heaviness of heart!
Perhaps you wished to touch his garment's hem
And so revisited Jerusalem.
O Simon, Simon, did your ears rejoice
When hearing recognition in his voice?
Like Jacob, who had seen his brother's face
Glow like the face of God with holy grace,
Did you go softly, then, with love unpriced,
Remembering the glory of the Christ?

If we obey the call our times demand
And we, like you, hold out a helping hand
To one who has a cruel cross to bear,
We too, as our reward, may duly share
Love's triumph over hate, disdain, and scorn
While forwarding a resurrection morn.

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