The garden at night

After Luke 22:39-45 

He withdraws into the garden,

separates himself from the rest,

a stone’s throw away, close

but with space, with privacy,

for prayer.

Alone,

the most alone for all time.

He knows the cup is 

before him;

if it were his choice,

he’d refuse it, have it

removed, have it

taken away.

But it is not his choice;

the cup remains. Even as 

the angel comes

to strengthen,

to bring him strength.

he prays in agony,

agony of spirit,

agony of heart,

agony of mind,

agony of soul,

agony sufficient

to draw blood.

 

Photograph by Olivier Miche via Unsplash. Used with permission.