A camp sign says work makes you free,

so I cut down and milled a tree.

I notched the crosspiece best I could,

you know I work my hands in wood.

Working hard to crucify myself.

Hands idle are the devil’s play.

Climbed and kicked the ladder away

from cleats that I built for my feet,

with four spike nails between my teeth.

Working hard to crucify myself.

I bend and nail my two feet down.

My left hand cups a nail I pound.

Look at the hammer like a fool.

A craftsman’s poor who blames his tool.

Working hard to crucify myself.

Saved by grace not the work I planned,

I cannot nail down my right hand.

Since I can see I’ll hang here long,

I have the time to write this song.

Working hard to crucify myself.

Hammer, 2009, acrylic on wood and canvas, 8”H