Forty Days And Forty Nights - a poem by Chris Zachariou

My love for The Son of Man and Christianity as a way of life is infinite, however, I find it impossible to believe in a metaphysical world.

This poem is my own personal view of God, Jesus, and Mary Magdalene. Please do not continue reading if you are easily offended or intolerant of other peoples' views.

This poem is largely inspired by the novel 'The Last Temptation of Christ' by Nikos Kazantzakis.

Jesus

An ancient war is being fought again.
The Fallen Angel mustered all his legions
and the battle rages on for forty days and nights.

The armies of the mighty kingdoms

have assembled in the desert

to proclaim to the sounds of trumpets

their allegiance to the great King.

Thirst and hunger plague his body

and the Darkness mocks the Prophet

to a feast of wine and stones.

Visions of the blessed city rise

with marble temples and cool gardens

and the Star spurs the saint to fly

to his golden throne in Salem
in the arms of a thousand angels.

The Rabbi’s virgin daughter
comes to him each night in dreams—
sixteen years of sublime beauty.

She lies down in the sand dunes

with her crimson gown undone

and torments him through the night.

When the sun rises each dawn

where the lustful vision lay

a viper hisses, spits, and slithers away.

The Man falls down on his bended knee
lifts his head up to the sky and cries
"Your will is done, my Lord and King"

Jesus