I thirst...

He cried out
"I thirst..."
...and they gave him
vinegar to drink.
Bitter gall
sweetness turned
to acid in the throat

I thirst...
...for love's sweet fruit
once taken secretly in shame
dishonoured then
it withered
as on a cankered stem.

I thirst...
...for mercy
and they offered sacrifice
Bloodied head
hands and feet
embraced by torture
cursed
anointed to pain
despised
heart's ache

I thirst...
...and they give me
vinegar to drink
Where is your God? they say
Eli, eli, lama sabachtani.