POSCA

The light within the sky was growing dim. Death-white, a thorn-crowned face looked from a cross And watched with dying eyes the soldiers toss Dice for the seamless robe they stripped from Him; And of that number there was one who first Was touched with pity for Him hanging there, And ran a sponge of vinegar to bear, When in His anguish Jesus said: "I thirst!"

O nameless soldier of the long ago, Yours was the doing of a deathless deed; Who braved the people passing to and fro, And gave to Christ the sponge upon a reed The while His own disciples standing near, Dismayed, moved not to help Him in their fear.