Domine quo vadis?
Annibale Carracci
1601-02
Oil on panel, 77,4 x 56,3 cm
National Gallery, London
Crucifixion of Peter
Lorenzo Veneziano
c. 1370
Poplar panel, 26 x 33 cm
Staatliche Museen, Berlin
As sometimes happens
A moment hovered and remained for much more than a moment
And time stopped
And movement stopped for much more than a moment
Underneath the weight of everything
We're turning black coal into diamonds
And we're sifting through the remains and picking up the pearls when we find them
Now I'm drawing lines to form fish in the sand
If they find you out, they'll hang you upside-down
With sharpened spikes to form-fit through your hand
Twisted thorns for a crown
And now the happy-ever-after is still a ways away
Have patience
When the Good News took root
All the other just became outside of interference
Rumor has it the skeptics are restless
Be sure to tip your hat when you go by
Now I'm drawing lines to form fish in the sand
If they find you out, they'll hang you upside-down
With sharpened spikes to form-fit through your hand
Twisted thorns for a crown
Beautiful story.
**”Where are you going?” Peter asked.
“I am going to Rome,” the traveler replied, “to be crucified afresh.”
Peter recognized the voice at once. It was Jesus, returning to suffer death again, because His followers were suffering there. Conscience-stricken, Peter turned back toward the city, whereupon his companion vanished.**