i joined all the others who lined the path some clutched stones others held their breath i was the wife of a roman who had sentenced you i just came to observe i was not planning to enter the procession as it passed me by but i felt bound to raise my veil to wipe the sweat from your eyes and when i pulled it back i knew the rumors were true burned into that sheet was the image of you i think i can believe now in the sin i ve done and that you can absolve me and everyone will be rewarded for their faith and belief in the sharing of your word from the cloth you lay beneath i came to the emperor to show the sacred cloak to heal and convince him you weren t a joke your face will never leave him now that he has seen the mark that lifted shroud has cured him shedding light where there was dark but i only wish you d shown me with no sacrifice if only i could have believed you without the need of sight but my dedication to you now will never be swayed since i saw the thorn crown and the spilled blood you have paid