I Stood and Died

I stood and died among lions

Tearing, terrifying teeth

And claw, limb to limb, limp

But at that moment, Christ’s

Grace sufficed, His name on my lips

I stood and died among lions

The captor’s cold cutting blade pressed 

Against the vein in my neck

But at that moment, Christ’s

Grace sufficed, His name on my lips

I stood and died among lions

The culture’s clamorous clutch choking

A closing breath from my lungs

But at that moment, Christ’s

Grace sufficed, His name on my lips

For when the tree He bore

On manly shoulders, splintered

And tore, into human flesh

He stood and died among lions

And at that moment, God’s

Grace sufficed, His name on His lips

Gary Edward Geraci