Ecce Homo - Behold The Man!











I had a dream some time ago, during the Lententide

That almost broke my heart in two with sorrow, grief and fright.

I dreamed: I went to early Mass, without concern nor care,

But instead of priest and altar boys, our Lord Himself stood there.



With fear and sorrow then I saw my Lord, my highest good,

Surrounded by a vicious throng, and covered with bruises and blood.

On a platform's right He silently stood, in butt of derision and spite,

The assembled mob poked fun at Him, and jeered in depraved delight.



To the platform's left some henchmen stood with truncheons, scourges and whips,

Callous, unwrung by pain and blood, foul insults on their lips.

Below the platform was a throng, clenching their fists with scorn,

Egging the brutal soldiers on to weave a  crown of thorn.







With infinite patience He bore it all, in silent sorrow and pain,

While below, the agitated crowd voiced hatred and disdain.

His garment was of seamless weft, His body strong, but lean

His mother's hands, loving and deft, knew well how to weave and spin.



Dark hair framed His expressive face, of ebony color His skin

But His eyes, such wondrous haunting eyes I never yet have seen.

His gaze so asad and sorrow-filled, of one that oversees

All human sorrow, crime and guilt across all distances.



No artist's brush, nor finest lense, could hold these eyes like the sun,

With a glint of renounced omnipotence and forsaken morion.

I cried to Him: "My Lord! - my Lord!" - but Omnipotence begged me,

Begged,- for a sign, a consoling word of love and sympathy.



And love, compassion, grief and pain went through my soul like a dart,

But words to tell are futile and vain,- it almost broke my heart.



Maria Magdalena Doppelmayr

(Tanslated from German Original by daughter)



© Elizabeth Dandy











Traumbild



Es hat in meinem Leben in einer stillen Nacht

Ein Traum von meinem Heiland, mir tiefen Sinn gebracht.

Es traeumte mir: ich wollte zur heiligen Messe gehn,

Anstatt des Messbeginnen's sah ich den Heiland sehn.



Erschreckt sah ich mit Graemen den Herrn, mein hoechstes Gut,

Er wurde hingetrieben, voll Spott und blinder Wut.

Aus handgewebtem Leinen trug Er ein weiss Gewand,

Mit bitt'rer Leidensmiene er auf der Plattform stand.



Er war verklagt, gefangen, und stand zur rechten Seit'

Und links am Tisch die Schergen zur Missetat bereit.

Darunter stand gedraenget ein Volk, von Hass erfuellt,

Die dichtgedraengte Meute gebaerdete sich wild.



Der Herr sah stumm und traurig, voll Schmerz und voll Geduld,

Als saeh Er aller Welten und Erden-Suendenschuld.

Umrahmt von dunklen Haaren war Sein blass' Angesicht

Und die Gestalt war stattlich, doch einfach und so schlicht.



Die dunklen Augen blickten verlassen, angsterfuellt,

Solch' Augen sah ich niemals auf eines Maler's Bild.

O! dieses heilige Antlitz durchflutete mein Sein,

Es zog der Blick der Allmacht mich in Sein Leid hinein.



Den ausdrucksvollen Augen voll namenlosem Weh,

Entstroemte eine Klage, die nimmer ich ver steh.

Er sah mich an so flehend, was sollte dies nur sein?

Ich werd' es nie vergessen, o Gott und Heiland mein.



Zu karg sind Menschenworte,-- dies' edlen Antlitz' Schmerz,

Gepaart mit Lieb' und Trauer, durchbohrte fast mein Herz.



© Marias Magdalena Doppelmayr












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Judy Costea's picture

Elizabeth,
Reading this brought tears to my eyes, You mother was a beautiful Poet. She had a heart of gold and I can see how it has been passed on to you.. For I am sure she is in God beautiful Kingdom writing him more beautiful poetry...
Thank you for sharing this with me
Peace and Love
Judy