The Crown of Red

For Max on his saint's day

I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both.
- Saint Maximilian Kolbe

When stalking death just brushed his sleeve,
intent upon another man,
he saw a proffered gift instead--
   a gift prepared for him alone
   in depths before the world was known--
and snatched it up with joyful haste.

   In love, his life resigned--
   "Thy will, not mine--"
In love he leapt and seized death's searching hand.

There would have been no sin
in silence--for all, perhaps, but him.

Ten flagging souls he saved--one spared
to be restored to family,
nine spared from final loss of hope.
   And as the victim-priest did pour
   his life out on the cold cell floor
beside his slain, safeguarded sheep,
   in love, he left the night--
   light unto Light--
in Love subsumed, poured out eternally.