Alone in the Midst

Alone in the Midst
after the lithograph “Via Dolorosa” 1941 Allan Rohan Crites

A Christ on his knees
overburdened by the weight
of a massive squared wooden cross
stumbles into the precepts
of twentieth century America.

An alley lined with garbage cans,
a skinny cat, all black slinks through
a homeless man squats, eyes pursed in hunger
a prostitute lazily leans back
against the support of her scant door frame
ponders her unlit cigarette.

A man and a woman idly exchange
tidbits of morning gossip
An elderly couple, faces worn and wrinkled
put out their daily trash; ignorant
of the struggle of the Man behind them.

No one notices Him.
It is as if He isn’t even there
in the midst of this scene,
in the center of their daily lives.
A man walks by, glances briefly,
turns in surprise, unsure of what
his eyes behold.

Previously purblished in Windhover

Via Dolorsa by Allan Crites at Harvard Art Museum