(composed on Maundy Thursday)

In this hour
We keep watch in churches
With ones who say
“Surely we are safe in this place”
We keep watch with them as doors splinter
As blood runs

In this hour
We keep watch in doctors’ surgeries
With ones who hear news
“The tests were positive”
We keep watch with them as terror rises
As blood runs cold

In this hour
We keep watch in skyscrapers
With ones whose children say
“When will daddy be home?”
We keep watch as heat rises
As blood ties break

In this hour
We keep watch on ferries and planes
With ones waiting for
“Emergency over”
We keep watch with them as water rises
As blood pumps loudly in the ears

In this hour
We keep watch in a garden
With the one who says
“Not my will”
We keep watch as friends sleep
As blood sweat drips.

This is the hour of darkness
The hubub of mad confusion
Dark terror reigns

In this hour, we watch and pray.