Complaint

Karamazov’s Psalms, part I.

I know how Job was answered, but he cried out for himself 
I come not on my own behalf but for somebody else 
I come because I ask and no one stands to answer me 
I come to ask a question — why the cursed and poisoned tree? 

That curse continues on the world long after Adam’s death 
And those not even living then are damned with every breath 
The stillborn child, the cripple, the alone, the destitute 
Will you this accusation not come answer and refute? 

 Will you reason on it? Tell me, Christ, can you explain?
I will not have your heaven, founded on one child’s pain.
Though you say all my scarlet sins will be as white as snow 
What recompense is there for what the children undergo? 

If there is no distinction — just and unjust feel your rain —
You’ve voided any reason for the innocents in pain 
That cry throughout the ages, sometimes soft, sometimes overt:
I wish someone could tell me why I hurt. 

This is the introductory poem for a mini collection I just finished — I’ll be posting it in parts for the next little while:) Every poem but one is in the voice of a literary character or philosophical work — I’m curious to see how well that comes through, so guesses are welcome! The title of the collection kind of gives this one away but yknow:)