Austin Segrest
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Two Caravaggios

Therefore that He may raise, the Lord throws down.
—Donne

The Lord throws down, that he may raise Saul;
that he may raise him up, the Lord throws down
the rose dawn of revelation that taketh sight,
that taketh away the world that Saul might see.

That he might see his nailed feet mount the air,
and mounting, upside-down, that he might fly,
the Lord giveth flight: poor Peter’s wings
are cross-beams of his cross. The Lord raises

the lewd roses of his beard and loin cloth,
his only cloth. As Peter’s flesh appalls,
he is appalled to see what Saul cannot,
and cannot hear a voice ask his soul,

Saul, why dost thou persecute me? But instead,
instead of commands or blame, what Peter hears,
Peter hears alone inside his head:
Hide not Thy face or, why hast Thou forsaken,

why hast Thou forsaken me, O Lord?
The Lord, who rose, raises, that He may throw;
throws down, He who was thrown, that He may raise.
Praise every petal thrown and thorn that rises.