Scarface

 

“In the image of God created he him”

---

I will knock at your

Gate in the darkness where white

Petals disappear.

~ Kyorai

[Englished by Phillip Whidden]

 

I wish I had a scar across my face,

A scar to force me always to recall

You, hardness of your profile, strength and grace,

And softness of eyes’ lashes causing thrall.

I wish I had a scar that makes me think

Of nose, nobility of nostrils posed

In manliness, your muscles on the brink

Of images of God before deposed

Light’s Lucifer turned manliness towards sin.

The scar is cut, though, like a scimitar

Of tress of curls that strokes your head.  Your chin

Could cut across my cheeks a gape of scar.

  Beneath your shoulders lurked a darker harm.

    Christ failed to send a signal of alarm.

©  Phillip Whidden