richards odes

How Would You Feel?

You’ve shared a very special meal

Though it was a little weird

The Master’s words just seemed unreal

You couldn’t help but be afeared!

Now you’ve had a quiet stroll

And then a rest within a park

The Master’s prayers were very droll

And you’ve felt shadows in the dark.

Your Masters crying fit to bust

And you can’t even keep awake

Your eyes are full of sleepy dust

And then He gives your arm a shake.

Soldiers gather all around

And Judas gives your Lord a kiss

You grab a sword and swing it round

You see some blood. You didn’t miss!

Your Lord restrains you as you fight

And says He does not need your aid.

He’s taken off into the night

And you feel your game is played!

Your Master doesn’t want your help!

You don’t know what he wants of you!

He’s given up without a yelp.

What on earth are you to do?

You follow slowly in his wake

Hoping there might be a chance

His captors may make some mistake

And then the crowd gives you a glance.

All your friends have run away

The crowd is screaming for a kill

What on earth are you to say.

The outcome is unknown still.

Of course you’re feeling very scared

And your neighbours don’t look thrilled.

The question’s caught you unprepared

And it won’t help if you are killed!

You swear that you have never seen

This man before in all your life

The mob is looking very mean

And you don’t want any strife!

Two more times they claim you were

Really one of Jesus’ men

Twice more you vehemently declare

You never met the man – and then

The rooster crowed a mournful wail

And you remembered Jesus’ face

As he told you, you would fail,

And now you really felt disgrace!

You slunk away a broken shell.

How could you let your Master down?

You boasted you would do so well

And now you’ve acted like a clown!

How would you feel if it were you

Had faltered when the test had come?

I bet I would have faltered too

And to my fears I would succumb.

Lord console me when I fall

And hold me tight within your arms

That I may heed my Master’s call

And come at last to heaven’s charms.