Christ Carrying the Cross

Christ Carrying the Cross (1920)
Oil on canvas
153 x 143 cm

Tate Gallery

Study for Christ Carrying the Cross 1920

Pencil and Watercolour on Paper

44.1 x 35.6cm

Tate Gallery

When Jesus came to Cookham

he strolled down 
the main street
for three minutes
one Saturday morning
without warning.
Mrs Hazlitt
from the bookshop
couldn't quite
place the face.

When Jesus came to Cookham

no one knew
quite what to do.
One person gathered
in the church
where the priest advised
against a sacrifice
whether animal
or otherwise.

When Jesus came to Cookham

it took him 
three minutes
to realise
he'd come too soon.
So he left
carrying a case
in the shape of a cross.