Eli, Eli, Lama, Sabachthani?
Ball point pen on paper with fabric and matboard backing,
Spring 2023.
Abominable
"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination"
but yet you greeted me,
"My soul is bound to yours."
stripping off your robe
handed off in the name of a father,
(or perhaps a Mother)
shedding your bow and belt,
and the Sword around your waist.
I found myself thrust upon it,
between the breaths and spit
screaming that I am abominable.
I recall your songs and social
(they said we were simply social)
yet I gave you all I had,
proclaimed my love to living,
living as I loved you.
and in the final parting,
in light of my father's sparing
I knew that i had become abominable.
No last words spoken
could hide the sorrow I knew was growing
as I fled your arms into the night
and grief overwhelms as I heard the tell
that the son of the Lord's anointed had fallen
and the abomination of that solemn day fell.
That sword I carried, the arrows I shot.
Flying fleeting as I fell
wearing a crown of forget-me-nots.
How great is the loss of leaving you!
As I climb up rungs fearing for what I've done
have I become abominable?
Brother, how greatly I mourn thee!
I tore my clothes into a great song
for greatly beloved were you to me
wonderful were you, over the love of women
for, for you
I became abominable. . .
Words by Xi Stoddart, inspired by 1 Samuel (NRSVUE) and Leviticus 18:22
Eli, Eli, Lama, Sabachthani? Started out as a piece exploring clobber (anti-gay) passages in the bible, but developed into a series about forgiveness, grief, and sorrow. The series includes four pieces and a title card. In order of being made the peices are titled: David and Jonathan (16” x 13”), Abominable (16” x 13”), The Kiss (26” x 21”), and Forgiveness and Sorrow (26” x 21”).
To the left is the full text for the poem drawn out in Abominable.
Further commentary on these works can be found in the writings section of this website.