Kissing the cross,

O precious cross,

it blisters the lips

like the hot coal

held to Isaiah.

O holy cross,

there is a body on it

with a deep wound

the wound dealt by the world

to the hopes of God.

O beautiful God

unrecognizable

who could not let us be

in our blind man’s bluff

our cruel humors

O spent flesh

that took on ours,

O banked fire

beyond extinguishing,

brand me.

James S. Torrens, S.J. is America's former poetry editor.