Geoffrey Hill(b. 1932)

1. Lachrimae Verae

Crucified Lord, y o u s w i m u p o n your cross

and never move. S o m e t i m e s in dreams of hell

the body m o v e s but m o v e s to no avail

and is at o n e w i t h that eternal loss.

You are the castaway of d r o w n e d remorse,

you are the world's a t o n e m e n t on the hill.

This is your body twisted by our skill

into a p a t i e n c e proper for redress.

I c a n n o t turn aside f r o m w h a t I do;

you c a n n o t turn away f r o m w h a t I am.

You do not dwell in me nor I in y o u

h o w e v e r m u c h I p a n d e r to your n a m e

or a n s w e r to your lords of revenue,

surrendering the joys that they c o n d e m n .