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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SIMON THE CYRENIAN SPEAKS by COUNTEE CULLEN

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: HE NEVER SPOKE A WORD TO ME
Last Line: WITH BRUISE OF LASH OR STONE.
Subject(s): BIBLE; JESUS CHRIST; RELIGION; SIMON OF CYRENE; THEOLOGY;
He never spoke a word to me,
And yet He called my name.
He never gave a sign to me,
And yet I knew and came.

At first I said, "I will not bear
His cross upon my back --
He only seeks to place it there
Because my skin is black."

But He was dying for a dream,
And He was very meek;
And in His eyes there shone a gleam
Men journey far to seek.

It was Himself my pity bought;
I did for Christ alone
What all of Rome could not have wrought
With bruise of lash or stone.



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