And Truth Waits

A reflection on John 18

Photo by Rafik Wahba on Unsplash

What is truth? Cynicism confronts
irony. All the while he stares
into the eyes of Reality.
The politician turns on his heels
without waiting for reply — goes
to rinse his hands and wrings them out
in full view, as if this simple act
of washing could erase complicity.

And Truth waits — silent, unyielding — for
the verdict he will place upon himself.

And we, centuries since, take the same
distrustful stance. Or, we proclaim control —
all the while Truth stands facing us,
blood dripping down his face,
and waits for us to condemn
or to acquit: turn back and
embrace the Victim who is not
or release him to a world gone mad.

Darryl Willis 2024