When he nailed the leather to the boards
did he meditate on the suffering Christ
the calfskin cover, His precious integuments
pierced, repierced, riven, flesh to oak
sacrifice for life everlasting.
Did he pre-vision the nails' corrosion
flaking rust, wearing, rotting like old bones
until the hide, never healing
at least no longer agonized.
Did he envision, hold in compassion
the crucified Thief of ancient tradition
when he wrapped that Bible with swift
rough, exploring hands
or was he
just trying to fix a book?
did he meditate on the suffering Christ
the calfskin cover, His precious integuments
pierced, repierced, riven, flesh to oak
sacrifice for life everlasting.
Did he pre-vision the nails' corrosion
flaking rust, wearing, rotting like old bones
until the hide, never healing
at least no longer agonized.
Did he envision, hold in compassion
the crucified Thief of ancient tradition
when he wrapped that Bible with swift
rough, exploring hands
or was he
just trying to fix a book?