Christ in the Garden of Olives: poem by Rachel Rummo

"Christ in the Garden of Olives," by Paul Gauguin, public domain

Christ in the Garden of Olives  

Inspired by the painting by Paul Gauguin. 

gnarled hands 

grip his handkerchief 

muddy garment 

hosts sweat 

stagnant trees 

split Christ from his disciples 

blades bind feet 

sleep severs prayers 

orange bangs 

unite with his beard 

shoulders swoop 

down like a preying bird 

_____________________

Rachel Rummo is a fiction writer based in South Florida, and she is interested in learning  

about more cultures, working in a university library. Rachel was born in China, abandoned  

in a box, and adopted by an American family. She is studying Communications and hopes  

to make the world a better place. 

(April 2026 issue)