The Mount of Olives

by Jessica Hanke

THE MOUNT OF OLIVES

I lift my eyes; where does my help come from?

A humble three-peaked mountain, limestone soaked in sun,

a man on a donkey rides down into a rejoicing throng,

as palm branches forge an emerald path to Jerusalem.

I lay down my cloak and lift my voice among the fickle crowd,

my tear-stained Hosanna! Hosanna! pulses out.

I watch him on that mountain; he goes to teach

and pray and be with friends and be alone

on that clay-rich soil, growing olives to be crushed.

I know how his story goes; I want to shout out,

tell them to hug him when they can, to listen,

to savor every moment and hold him close.

My help came from that mountain, in a garden at the base,

when he knelt in loneliness and sweat dripped

scarlet down his precious face.

In a moment when he asked his father,

Is there another way? When the heart of the world

broke in awe of too much, selfless love poured out,

drunk up a cup held to trembling lips.

His, the crucifixion.

Mine, the eucharist

JESSICA HANKE

Jessica Hanke is a South African currently living in Switzerland with her husband and two small children. She writes poetry as she looks for the rays of Light woven into her days.

You can find her poetry on Substack.