It’s getting hard to breathe.

So many blows from whips and hands.
Half led, half dragged from place to place
Throughout the night. I haven’t slept.
When they ceased to lash with whips
They lashed with words.
Question after question
As if my answers mattered.
I hope my friends escaped.
I wish the ones I barely see
Through swollen, blurry eyes
Would go. Their weeping just might break
My heart. I hear their tears
Above the jeers.

It’s getting hard to breathe.

I have to wonder why
They jeer. Why bother?
They can have their triumph
Without mocking me.
They have my life.
What more can they desire?

It’s getting hard to breathe.

They tried to give me wormwood,
But I wouldn’t take it.
Best to bear the worst
That human beings can do –
Oh, I pray this is the worst!
Every muscle screams
From hanging by my hands
Afire with pain
Around the nails.
I’d scream, but…

It’s getting hard to breathe.

Father, forgive them
For they do not know…
Breathe.
What they are doing.

Do I know
What I’m doing?

Breathe.
Breathe.

Eli! Eli!
Lama!
Breathe.
Sabachtani!

It’s getting
Hard to breathe.

Breathe.

Is it dark?
I can’t tell.

A sponge.
Breathe.
Sour wine.
Breathe.

It’s hard
Too hard
To breathe.

Breathe.

Tear’s salt.
Last
Flavor.

Breathe.

Into
Your hands…
Breathe.
I commend…
Breathe.
My spirit.
Breathe.

It’s hard
To
Breathe.

Breathe.

It
Is
Finished.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Brea…

Image by Unknown or not provided – U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17069459

This page was updated on April 18, 2019, to add the image and place the words of Jesus from the cross in italics.