Why stand before a cross
And watch him die?
Why even be there at all?
Your sorrow enough
To want to fly
To flee from here
Avoid unseemly brawl
But no you came
And stood beside the cross
With Mary, wife of Clopas
At your side
Magdalene and John
Supporting you
All others fled
Gone off they to hide
What use is this?
Standing in this place
Watching him die
Looking in his face
You cannot help
No purpose you can serve
Why stand here?
Why try to hold your nerve?
There is power
In being present to another
Showing love is here
To stay the course
We help each other live
We help each other die
That’s the reason
That’s the where and why
Brian Fahy
24 May 2021
Erris Poetry 