Rachael Carson

Son of Man

I AM

Heavy with anguish, a man

of sorrows. I pour out my blood

in conflicted prayers—

the foreseen friction of prophecies

fulfilled, of faith forsaken.

Wake up, you selfish sleepers!

Don’t you understand

that the hour has come?

Oh, my friends,

embracing betrayal, 

wrongful rage, and denial. 

Abandoned and accused—

I AM. 

The deafening cries, 

the harsh words prevail. Despised, I remain

silent, misunderstood. A mocking

trial, three attempts at release,

three times denied.

They embrace a murderer, scorn

their savior.

I AM

Unrecognizable royalty—

a piercing crown, a mocking

robe, perfectly oppressed, holy

and humiliated, guiltless but convicted. 

Your sin is heavier

than this grieving cross I carry

on my bruised back, up the painful

path to the final place

where I will make you whole.

I AM

Raised high

on this suffocating hill,

forsaken yet forgiving, 

suffering and ministering. Berated by one,

believed by the other. Darkness

falls as the sun dies out. 

With my last breath I give life, declaring

It is finished.

Rachael Carson is a certified French teacher, with a minor in English literature, turned stay at home mom. She is currently enjoying using poetry to explore the seasons and experiences of her life and aims to do so in a way that is relatable to someone else.