i
kissed him.
Jesus,
upon
his silent cheek—
cool as unturned stone—
pressed against my lips.

thus,
I betrayed him,
for thirty shekels of gold,
their cold weight heavy in my palm,
a silver chorus
that rang like nails against wood.

and to be crucified by Rome,
Oh yes,
I kissed a man.
His name broke in my throat,
a prayer I could not finish.
Yet I kissed a man.

Now, Silence fills the space
where his voice once breathed,
And I am alone,
the shadow of my cross
stretching far too wide.