(Click here to follow Pavel's ongoing epic poem “The Shoulder of the Sun.” You may visit Pavel's website at http://www.greyowlpress.com.)
by Pavel Chichikov
My name is Christopher, and on my back
I bore but only once what I have lacked
Small child and yet a bigger one has never
Weighed so much – a burden of forever
My legs are long, my shoulder bones are wide
But he from breast to hackle rides astride
The waves come forward surging on my shins
In all my strength I stride against my sins
Deeper on the bed of stones I sink
As yet although I thirst I may not drink
Until the ford of Majesty is won
And I have carried through His only Son
No fasting vigil, prayer or penance I
Have ever practiced, yet my Lord is dry
Praise Him who died for mercy on a tree
Who child and man and traveler bore me
