Holy Tuesday

Source: gotquestions.com

this week, this holy, beaten week

nails TGIF to my tongue;

even with the crowbar leverage of my faith,

prying,

 I can’t manage to say it.

no, not in a month of Sundays.

I’ll thank God it’s Friday

every other dirty work-week sunset,

but this coming gross solemnity

steals my voice

and fills my ears with afternoon thunder.

how can I keep from shivering?

when I tally all my unpaid sick days

and on-the-job injuries

and workplace harassments

and the other smaller crucifixions

that cut into my barely living wage,

I’m sorely tempted just to quit.

but on this longest of weekends

I remember that the work has just begun

and the same hope that rolled the stone

rolls up my sleeves.

Then I’m back at it again

fully compensated next Tuesday.

Greg Kennedy, SJ works as a spiritual director at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph, Ontario. He is author of Reupholstered Psalms volumes I, II, and III; and Amazing Friendships between Animals and Saints (Novalis Press).

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3 Comments
  • Dodzi Amemado
    Posted at 06:51h, 16 April Reply

    Thank you, Greg. Powerful poem!

  • Peter Bisson, SJ
    Posted at 08:57h, 16 April Reply

    Thank you Greg!

  • darcy Mann
    Posted at 00:32h, 17 April Reply

    The poem resonates with me, having been a long time first responder….

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