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At The Mamertine Prison
Of sinners, he declared himself the chief,
although by Jesus' grace he had been saved.
Yet he knew that the flesh was still depraved
enough to bring his soul all sorts of grief.
He waited for his sentence without dread,
and knew that Rome's dysfunction must behead
him, whom they thought of as better off dead
(and, with ironic humor, he agreed).
He did not weep, nor imprecate, nor plead
as time ran out. He did not have to strive.
In Christ, one who has died is yet alive,
but from the burdens of the body freed.
The Mamertine was dark, but Christ's true light
helped Paul to walk, therein, by faith not sight.
Starward
[jlc]
