The Word
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).” The poem begins with the usage of the word as a symbol of God’s/Jesus’ calling. Jesus never spoke a word to Simon of Cyrene, but he still heard his name called. It symbolizes the spiritual calling, the biblical meaning of the “Word”.
Bearing the cross
The second stanza is on the surface level talking about the literal meaning of the phrase, as Simon is asked by Roman soldiers to bear the cross for Jesus’ Crucifixion. But the additional information that Simon is a black man reveals a deeper intentional meaning by the poet. It can be interpreted as the weight of systemic racism and inequality that is constantly put upon a black man’s back to bear.
Lash and stone
The final stanza of the poem reflects yet again on the power of the word of Jesus, that is, the power and effect on people. It shows that compassion and kindness has more influence and power than lash or stone, which are symbolic of cruelty and violence which Rome used to enforce power.
