Villanelle for Good Friday

Choked up clouds now masquerade as night
through love and sinew nailed to timber, cruel;
the stone rolls on, he disappears from sight .

Transfigured like the mountain's hidden light,
yet nature's laws returning to their rule -
choked up clouds now masquerade as night .

Did God with gasping breath give up the fight
use dreams for fodder; angry slings to fuel?
the stone rolls on, he disappears from sight.

Bended, broken, here I lay contrite.
For my hand in this day and bloody pool
choked up clouds now masquerade as night.

If I could un-deny, my debt rewrite
I need an author far beyond this school -
the stone rolls on, he disappears from sight.

Though lost and angry, tears are bold and bright
My face is fading, studded with death's jewel.
Choked up clouds now masquerade as night
the stone rolls on, he disappears from sight.