as the blood slowly trickled from his wrists and ankles
around the nails and down the wooden cross
and silently dripped into the dirt 
the earth cried out at the injustice of it all
as the red liquid mixed with the women’s tears
sinking deeper into the ground
under a blue sky

the blood of Jesus
and the tears of the women who loved him
fell down together into the trampled mud
after the soldiers walked away 
and the disciples fled
time passed 
and then the sky darkened
the earth shook and the rocks split
as his heart stopped beating

but the ground held on tight to him and would not let go
his blood, a living seed of light, watered by the tears of women
has flourished and given birth over time
to vibrant flowers and gentle olive trees
rising from the ground
bringing beauty to the world and feeding those who hunger
for acceptance and mercy

when Jesus said that his blood was shed for us
the wine was a metaphor 
as was the bread he broke
yet so many continue to focus on sin and judgment
and look up helplessly to the heavens 
but Jesus’ blood sank down deep into the earth 
and remains here with us

you must put your hands in the dirt to experience grace

the women understood