Poem - "Kiss of Christ"

Caryll Houselander's "Kiss of Christ" is one of my favorite poems. I have never been able to find it in its original publication, or even attributed to her in print, but a knowledgable friend insists that he learned it in college and that she was the author...


There he hangs — pale figure pinned against the wood.
God grant that I could love Him as I really know I should.

I draw a little closer to share that love Divine
And almost hear Him whisper, "Ah foolish child of Mine!

If I should now embrace you,
My hands would stain you red.
And if I leaned to whisper,
the thorns would pierce your head."

And then I knew in silence that love demands a price
'twas then I learned that suffering is but the kiss of Christ.

— Caryll Houselander