Judah,
    was Salvation worth 30 silver pieces?
Judah,
    your soul was worth none of them.
Judah,
    you hung yourself upon a tree and
    I heard your soul wailing for mine.
    (“God, o God, why have you abandoned me?”)
    At the beginning of the world,
    I held you, cradled you in my arms.
    Since the universe was but nitrogen and
    hydrogen and
    helium, I had known you.
    I knew your name, held it in my hands.
Judah,
    “Betrayer” and “Beloved” start with the same letter.
Judah,
    Betrayer, every step I had walked with you, I had known.
    Betrayer, I had chosen – still choose – you, knowing.
    I would still call you beloved.
Judah,
    if you had waited three days more:
    “Peace be with you.”
    (“I forgive you”)
Judah –
   Betrayer, Beloved:
   I love you despite all.