QUO VADIS, DOMINE!

By Yasen Vedrin

(The Copper Bowl)

Insane Nero set his own Rome on fire,

And hid the sky in clouds of heavy smoke.

Senators, pale with horror and with ire,

Screamed out to him as fears within awoke:

"O, Divine One! Where is the arsonist

Who burned our beautiful, majestic home?

Which men are they who dare to clear resist

The greatest, ancient gods of holy Rome?

Are they not all the villains who have made

This fiery hell, this terrible despair?

For we prevent them in the market's shade

To spread their Jewish stench among slaves there.

From here, and there, the name of Christ appears!

Just one more step – Apollo he will own!…

This looks like treason, Nero, and brings fears

For your great power and your golden throne.

Do not delay! For Rome is ashes now!

Issue a sentence! Write down a decree!

To crush their criminal, dark work and vow,

For they are rabies to our souls, you see!

Go throw them to arena right away!

Upon the crosses let them all be slain!

So that no single soul can run away

From your most righteous, holy judgment's reign…"

Nero obeyed the angry, hunting pack.

He played his harp. With heavy wine got deep.

And then inside his marble chambers, back,

He signed the edict, lying down to sleep.

And said to them: "With soldiers go and seek!

Arrest all those who bear the name of Grace.

For they are filthy dogs, and vile, and meek –

In lies, dishonor, shame and foul disgrace.

These evil hyenas are a prey for lions.

And Jupiter is whispering to my soul,

That they are arsonists with dark designs

To burn a city that was bright and whole.

Go throw them to arena's Roman floor!

Upon the crosses let them all expire!

For we’re a sacred empire evermore,

And it will never burn from any fire…"

…An old apostle walked his path alone,

He felt a flash of lightning through the shade.

"Where are You going, Lord, my only own?

Are You for Rome again, where traps are laid?"

"Yes, I return!" – he heard from out the Light –

"To be crucified with My brothers there!

Come follow Me! For this price in the night

Will make you Mine after your final prayer…"

And Peter breathed his last. Condemned and bound.

Upside down crucified, with feet to sky.

And in a flash, deep peace his spirit found,

From breaths of Endless Life that cannot die.

He knew that there was no way back to trace,

Since he had walked to follow God’s own Son…

While Rome awoke. Depraved and smoky place,

Before the ruler whose dark path was done.