I wrote this poem after my book, Crown of Thorns, was published. I hope the poem will inspire you to pick up the book

Crown of Thorns

Do you feel my crown of thorns?

Or do you gaze on it with unseeing eye?

Do you help remove the thorns?

That pained me then, and pain me to this day.

Each thorn brought its own pain as it was shoved into my head.

Each thorn still hurts; I bleed now the way I long ago bled.

Each thorn carried its special pain.

Each one I feel over and over again.

The thorn of racial injustice, I felt as many felt before me, and many still feel today.

Can you remove that thorn by your understanding as you walk with me along the way?

The thorn of the destruction of the Creator’s world, it began with my dying on a tree.

Will you care enough to change the world by caring for creation, the animals, the land, the sea?

The thorn of a world torn by political polarity--it was happening then, and it’s happening now.

Will you try to understand the other, the stop the hate, the change the world somehow?

The thorn of betrayal, I felt it from my friends, and it hurt far more than knowing I had not long to live.

How many times have you betrayed a friend, or been betrayed and can’t forgive?

The thorn of loneliness, I knew I was surrounded by love, and yet, felt so alone.

Have you reached out to someone to ease their pain that is never really gone?

The thorn of being unjustly accused went deep into my skull, and caused a sad, deep chill.

The prisoner on death row, the refugee seeking only a better life, the neighbor you accuse, the thorn is with them still.

The thorn of despair, knowing I was abandoned, and yet, I held out hope.

Only you can give that hope to those in despair, will you say yes, or no?