That Blues Hymn

When I was a kid, The Old Rugged Cross
was the hymn that did it for me:
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best 
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
I didn’t know what it meant but something heroic
was at work, something about relinquishing
what one thinks one has gained only to find 
such gains bullshit.  Only to find betrayal through
passion leads to compassion through resurrection
far beyond following church rules which are rules
like Cub Scouts follow to get merit badges.
Early on I claimed this blues hymn as mine
and later shook it free from meanings it could
not hold, the Frankenstein of doctrine its words
declined to obey.  That obstinate clinging to language
served me well, still does.  And I hum this hymn
from time to time as if I am the one on the cross
reciting the Psalm, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
the prelude to every rebirth I’ve ever known.

-Byron Hoot

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