Crucifixion/Trenton Bebermeier

2nd Place, Poetry, 2021 Literary Awards

i woke up on a sidewalk bench
once again, covered only in
cloth, soggy from the dew.
     my eyes felt 
as though they were sinking.
the sky was light 
and sparse with haze.
     sun beams would dart
into my squinting retinas when they flick open.
my ragged back is to the pavement,
scuffed and shuffled upon,
     and i hear tones and voices
     as they pass...

“...oh no, he fell down again?” -
     hushed and empathetic.
“yeah, and y’know? the medical costs are just crazy!” -
     numbly excited and animated.
“well, we’re all prayin' for him…”

the voices faded out, and became
     muffled by laughing crows 
and distant city traffic.

“...okay! i can be there shortly, sir. 
no no, I’ve got plenty of time before.” - 
     bubbling with grace and bustle.
they’re speaking to themselves.
“shit...”

the voice faded out, and became
     muffled by screaming gulls 
and the thumps of cars crossing railroads.
      my stomach grows nauseous 
and my throat feels ticklish

“...d'ya wanna turn around? or should we keep walkin'?” - 
     nonchalant and tranquil.
“um, sure, if you want. ain't matter to me.” -
     despondent and ruminated.
“well, i got to let the dog out soon…”

the voices faded out, and became
     muffled by crying pigeons,
and the dense uniform 
     swaying in front of the sun,
his breast shining golden.

"c'mon kid, you know you can't be sleepin' on the benches."
i gaze up the tower of navy blue or black
in front of me. my head is throbbing.
"come on! get goin'!" 
he sways again, and a sunbeam 
glances off his chest into my eye
and digs into my brain.

i throw up on his shoes.
he smashes my nose with his knee.

---

Trenton Bebermeier is a third year student majoring in Music Performance and minoring in Japanese. He enjoys reading literature by Jack Kerouac, Charles Bukowski, Leonard Cohen, Aldous Huxley, Natsume Soseki, and Hemingway. When he is not reading or writing, he is making music and sound with whatever means currently at his disposal, as well as trying his hand in every creative medium available.