Instrument of Tortture, RSVP

Indeed, the cross was choice Roman instrument of horrors
and on seeing its power to entertain in the Coliseum
cats were rounded up in Africa and advertised on local billboards
which made the gore more thrilling
to frenzy the crowd to a pitch
to give them gladiators thumbs up or thumbs down
the second half of the performance, after the break
...stuffing and orgies, as it was called back then

Even today, a cross can be pushed to the hilt
when the self righteous feel an itch
to wield religion like a sword...
and stick it to them to whom it ought not be stuck
...no worry, no body move, no body gets hurt

An interesting geometric presents the cross,
turned on its side looks like an "X"
upright can symbolize a compass
or a skinny figure, arms outstretched

An interesting question mark is the cross of Jesus
Was the victim offered to tell us something about him and us?
Was that something an offer to accept that for wicked us
love's ultimate sacrifice was naked nailed to a bloody cross,
Caesar's then instrument of justice and imperial peace?

Were it only a poem up for discussion
it would not be so theologically loaded
let us accept that to believe or not
is an issue as perplexing as Hamlet's "To be or not..."
(which always seemed to me more an answer than a question)
To believe in Jesus nailing,
I'll concede the story is breathtaking
the idea of rescue from loveless-ness,
so simple, that illogical?
But is love any more logical,
or any less simple or impractical?
Yes, it is --- and no it isn't.
this part of it is obvious.

But again, as to believe or not
either way, doubts persist
when do they not!
Still, since you're a gambling fool
you play the hunch,what to lose if you believe,
what to gain when you won't?
What could be more simple
what more excruciatingly attractive?

Now, let's say that to the offer believe
a guy responds affirmatively---
an exclamatory, Yes, count me in!
while another guy of different mind set reacts,
Hell no, you're joking. You think I'm stupid!

Either way, in the exclamation point of your yea or nay
you've managed to stand the cross geometric on its head
arms tucked in, now eat it!

Were Mapovia selling you a car, buddy
she'd invite you to give it a spin around the block
Were it but a car,
Oi, would she have a deal for you!