Tears are drenching wrinkles

On fatigued, weary face

Is this wallowing in self-pity

Or pangs of conscience phase?

Words muted, barely audible

Beseeching the Holy One & Immutable

Is the entreaty betoken by lips humble

Or engrossed in self & thus formidable?

Due intent is the timeless demand

Shallow-headed, unsated desire

Bag of dirty tricks toss into fierce fire

Trounce incessantly the foe dire.

While the curing gift of grace endures abated

The fruit-bearing dance remains forfeited

Living soul commits doomed self-destruction

Willfully toiling in evil conscience, fatal infraction.

Crucified Love bind the soul to the Glorious Tree

The allures of this world be crucified to me

Bound for all time to the Cross, never forsaking Thee

Under the Tree of His dolorous Passion

Bathe in Blood of purging, Redemptive Love

The King of kings tears off the pierced Hand

From the Life-Giving Tree to ardently reach thee...

Clutch at the Arm of Mercy

For His passions

Are forever thirsty

Stained with Blood

Savagely pierced Hand

That will the final

Irreversible

Judgment signal

And command...