Like A Prayer 2

You tempered love and truth
Propelled by Terror;
Brandished, placard prejudice
Cursing, stifling, torched or no.

The crosses flared behind you,
Savage, lying as the truth
All plundered by the cruel.

But placed behind you was no vain,
No callous backdrop -
By you inverted, hatred's charcoal
Mutated into light.

One moment you flinched
From the ringleader’s glare,

And then recharged with strength
From that first font
To free the icon, barred.

They gave the prompt to you, the saviour
Against those thugs,
Charged with their poisoned inspiration
Turning foul, upon their own,
Tearing their last shreds
Of moral pretence.

So true you stood by your black icon,
Your disrobed intercession spoke all truth,
The voice of justice
Radiating through seductive overture.

Phoenix at one remove: then flames preceded you;
You drew new life from others’ ashes.

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