Lent 2 

Mark 8. 31-38 

making the sign of the cross

Harvey S. Mozolak

it used to be the custom 

to make the sign of reverence 

or doff one's cap or hat 

when passing 

steepled stone 

a new cross 

plain outside this mellow 

sand colored suburban church 

growing as it conquers the rust 

of unbelief in this old steel town 

almost like a flag pole 

to recall a fallen soldier 

set in concrete 

the base wears a brass plaque 

I cannot read 

at the distance and speed 

with which I pass 

but a guess, 

it reads: 

in memory of my son 

you erect again 

this fallen tree 

signed, the Father 

is the Spirit of the thing 

but more likely it marks 

like a dog a barked trunk 

the rebuke of God 

for some lesser child 

but greater loss 

the grieving parents' heart set 

on human things 

rejected and denied 

applied to raising wood 

and rock where God 

has more in mind 

and angels ready 

if artisans or armies are needed