Crucifixion

The kowhai tree stands in the city,
God grows by the Railway Station.
Black, twisted and bent
By the sun and the wind, the rain and the wind
And the wind.
The city passes by, the silly sinning city
It sins because it knows not, knows not because it sins ...
Forgive them for they know not what they do ...

The seeds fall upon stony ground,
Pennant flowers drop on the flag-stones
Mingling with cigarette butts, train-tickets,
Newspaper and broken glass.

God weeps as they pass Him by
In the sun and rain and wind
In the heart of my town.

— Mel Stone. Oct. 1959