ON GRUNEWALD'S ALTAR
(1470-1529)


Having known to love
by his wife's star of David
suffering on His altar
like the double cross
of any troubled artist's life
in the hidden remnant
of a last moment
we had a glimpse
when Weimar falls
and lashed on crystal night
you were called on for this
holding up a tiny light
above your Isenheim altar
when we could not cope
to the unfolding metamorphosis,
to so much long suffering
Ah, Matthias Grunewald
when there was no hope.