Caiaphas' Lament

This is a poem about the gospel story, but with a difference, it is taken from the viewpoint of  Caiaphas, the High Priest.

Caiaphas' Lament

I learned of him, a murmur like a breeze
Beginning one day. It seemed his abilities
Grew, and word spread around, crowds came:
The poor, the sick, the possessed, the lame;
All followed him, and there were also near
Followers, twelve disciples, now did appear.
And I did nothing, watching, biding my time,
Until he might perchance commit a crime
Against our Roman overlords. But not to be,
Until at length I had to stretch out, to see
What account he would give. So I contrived
To hand him over for execution, and strived
To wipe him out, to destroy all the rabble
Who followed him, who now did scrabble
To condemn, to call to Pilate for his death
With crucifixion, suffocation, loss of breath;
And I thought that would be the end. But then
I heard against all reason, that some women
Had seen him, then the men too told a tale
Of how he had returned, how he did prevail
Even against death. Yet still he was a man
Limited to one place at a time, in this span
He was bound. But then I came now to hear
That which I dreaded, which caused most fear,
That he was no longer bound, but ascended
Beyond our world. Now it will not be ended,
Because he is everywhere, not in one place,
But in all places, not with but one visible face
But with many faces, as he comes to greet
All who welcome him, them does he meet.
And I have failed, for on the day of Pentecost,
I listened, in fear and rage, learning I had lost,
Heard his Spirit speak to each and every nation,
Bringing life and hope, and joy and salvation.