The Last Shalom

“Shalom!” said aged Annas as he left the judgment seat,
His servants washed the dust of Pilate's court from off his feet;
He put his house in order and he gave his men their pay
And then sat down and waited for the solemn Sabbath day.

“Shalom!” said holy Caiaphas, departing from the crowd,
He touched his wide phylactery and hummed a song aloud,
He left the burning hillside for the shadows dank and cold
Which filled Jehovah's temple midst the silver and the gold.

“Shalom!” said all the people, and with laughter in their soul
They left the dead to die alone upon the cursed pole
And trading parting pleasantries and laughter loud and odd
They went home to their families and there sang a hymn to God.

“Shalom!” replied the Devil from this throne beneath the seas
And all of Hell fell silent and they worshipped on their knees
The dark, satanic peace that covers earth like fresh-blood shed;
The ending of the music and the slaying of the dead.

The last “Shalom!” was spoken, though, upon the mountain side
Christ breathed out: “It is finished,” bowed His head, and then He died.
Then all of Heaven echoed with the thunder of “Amen!”
And angels sang once more of peace on earth, goodwill to men.