(photo Robert Mapplethorpe, copyright his estate)
I am ready, let me be taken
shorn of coverings, scorned of hope
scourge my flesh
whip my skin until I am pale from bleeding
take this body, spread my arms
strike the hammer, pound the nails
let the blood pour down
crown my head with thorns
let me be cast upon a stake
with a crossbar hanging there
until I am dead
let the angels sing over me
while I am covered in red
and still my sacrifice will be
nothing
the ravens may caw
the loved ones might cry
but nothing I do is able
For there is only one worthy
Without sin
Without flaw
