The Creche

THE CROTCHETY OLD MINISTER
SET IN HIS WAYS
CAME DOWN FROM HIS CHRISTMAS EVE NAP
AND FOUND HIS GRANDCHILDREN
PLAYING WITH THE NATIVITY CRIB FIGURES

HIS INSTINCT WAS TO CRY OUT SACRILEGE
THIS WAS HIS PRIDE AND JOY
A FINE ITALIAN MADE SET
HAND CARVED AND PAINTED
AND ILLUMINATED JUST SO
A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE TO BEHOLD
AND HERE THEY WERE PLAYING WITH IT
LIKE ACTION FIGURES

WHAT STOPPED HIM FROM YELLING
IN HIS GRANDFATHER VOICE
HE DID NOT KNOW
HE’D BEEN GRUFF BEFORE
BUT HE STAYED WHERE HE WAS
AND LISTENED
AND THIS IS WHAT HE HEARD
THE OLDER CHILD TEACHING THE YOUNGER

AT THE BEGINNING OF CHRISTMAS
THIS IS WHERE THEY ARE
SCATTERED ALL OVER
THE ANIMALS AND THE PEOPLE
BUSY DOING ANIMAL AND PEOPLE THINGS

BUT WHEN JESUS IS BORN
THEY ALL WANT TO BE AROUND HIM
LIKE A MAGNET DRAWS METAL
THAT’S WHY SO MANY CAROLS SAY COME
AND THERE IS NO PUSHING OR SHOVING
THERE’S ROOM FOR EVERYONE
EVEN GRAND POP WHEN HE’S NOT SMILING
OR EAVESDROPPING ON THE STAIR

FRANK A VOLLMER

BASED ON A SERMON BY PASTOR DAVID MCGETTIGAN

Someone's Missing at Christmas

IT PERVADED THE HOUSE
LIKE THE AROMAS
FROM THE KITCHEN
THE SENSE OF SOMETHING MISSING
OF SOMEONE MISSING
LIKE A MELODY
MISSING A NOTE
OR A POEM
MISSING A VERSE
IT FELT INCOMPLETE

WHAT A TRIBUTE
TO THE PERSON GONE
TO BE MISSED
THAT A PART OF ONE’S HEART
HAD GONE WITH THEM

SORROW
YES
THEY COULD UNDERSTAND
BUT ALSO THEY WOULD SAY
CELEBRATE MY LIFE

THE JOKES WE TOLD
THE ADVENTURES WE HAD
THE GOOD TIMES
THE BAD TIMES
THE ORDINARY
DAY TO DAY TIMES

THE TIMES WE WERE BROUGHT
TOAST AND TEA
ON A GREEN SAUCER
AND A YELLOW CUP

CELEBRATE MY LIFE
AND I SHALL LIVE ON
AND I SHALL PERMEATE YOUR LIFE
LIKE AN AROMA
WAFTING FROM THE KITCHEN


FRANK A VOLLMER

Tombstone Reader

TOMBSTONE READER


I WANDERED THROUGH THE HILLSIDE CEMETERY
TRYING TO READ
THE WEATHERED MARKINGS ON THE STONES
SOME STALWART ONES
STILL LEANED AGAINST THE HILL
WHILE OTHERS
TIRED
HAD FALLEN AND SETTLED
ON THE GROUND

IT WAS AN ANCIENT CEMETERY
WEATHER-WORN AND OVERGROWN
YET HERE I FOUND ONE PLOT
THOUGH OVERGROWN AS WERE THE REST
BORE ON ITS BOSOM A ROSE BUSH
THE STONE STILL STANDING

AND ETCHED UPON IT VERY DEEP
AS IF TO SHOW THE CARVER'S SORROW
WAS WRITTEN ANNIE
AND NOTHING MORE

HOW PRETTY THE BUSH
IN THIS SO DESOLATE SPOT
I WONDERED WHO HAD PLANTED IT
SOME LOVER OR A HUSBAND
HAD DUG AWAY THE DIRT
THEN STANDING
LOOKING AT IT
HAD RECALLED LAUGHTER

SOME SISTER OR A BROTHER
HAD LOOKING AT THE STONE
REMEMBERED THE BITTER THINGS
THAT CHILDREN SOMETIMES SAY

SOME CHILD
HAD LOVINGLY PATTED DOWN THE EARTH
AND GAVE IT
ITS FIRST WATERING
TEARS

SOME MOTHER
OR A FATHER
LOOKING AT IT BLOOMING
HAD CAUGHT THEMSELVES REPEATING
ANNIE ANNIE ANNIE

WHAT WAS ANNIE REALLY LIKE
I THOUGHT

IT HAD GROWN DARK
THE SUN WAS COLD
AND SLOWLY SETTING

WHAT WAS ANNIE REALLY LIKE
I THOUGHT

I PLUCKED A ROSE
FROM OFF THE BUSH
AND SLOWLY WALKED THE HILLSIDE DOWN
CRADLING IT IN MY HAND



FRANK A VOLLMER

COMMUNION OF SAINTS (1 Corinthians 12)

THERE IS A PLACE CALLED HORIZON

WHERE I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SKY

A PLACE I CANNOT REACH

NO MATTER HOW I TRY

BUT THERE IS A PLACE

WHERE MEET HEAVEN AND EARTH

THE ALTAR

THE TABLE

WHERE CHRIST COMES FOR RE-BIRTH

BRINGING WITH HIM

ALL WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE

AS IF THERE WAS IN TIME A DOOR

THROUGH WHICH CAN COME

ALL I LOVE

MY SAVIOR

AND MY HEART FRIENDS

TO THIS PLACE

TO THIS TRYSTING PLACE

WHERE LOVERS MEET

WHERE FOR A MOMEN

TALL MY HEART PAINS ARE EASED

IN THE PRESENCE

OF ALL I LOVE

WITH ANGELS AND ARCHANGELS

GATHERED AT THE HORIZON

GATHERED IN UNION

GATHERED IN COMMUNION

WE ALL SING IN JOY

IN LOVE

IN CONSOLATION

HOLY HOLY HOLY

FRANK A VOLLMER

HMNNN

Marriage is love. ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN IT PROBABLY RATES A ONE THIRTEEN IF IT'S ON THE LIST AT ALL IN A WORLD WHERE CHILDREN GO TO BED HUNGRY WHERE PEOPLE LIVE AND SLEEP IN CARDBOARD BOXES WHERE SOLDIERS ARE SENT TO FIGHT FOR OIL AND THE LINE BETWEEN THE RICH AND POOR IS STEADILY WIDENING SOMEHOW WHICH ORIFICE IS USED IN SEXUAL LOVE DIMINISHES TO NON IMPORTANCE ESPECIALLY WHEN HETEROSEXUALS SOMETIMES USE THEM THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT HOMOSEXUALITY MIGHT BE GENETIC ARE WE NOT IN DANGER OF CONDEMNING GALILEO OR DARWIN AGAIN I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS A HERMAPHRODITE WHOM MAY THAT PERSON LOVE DID GOD MAKE A MISTAKE TO MAKE HIM/HER ONE WAY AND THEN TELL HIM/HER TO LIVE ANOTHER IS GOD LIKE A LITTLE BOY WHO TEARS WINGS OFF FLIES TO SEE IF THEY FLY IN CIRCLES IS THE FRUIT OF FIVE THOUSAND YEARS OF THE GOD EXPERIENCE A CONDEMNING GOD WHO CALLS HIMSELF LOVE GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON TO CREATE THAT IMAGE RATHER WE WHO WOULD BE GOD-LIKE HAVE DONE SO WE HAVE EATEN OF THE TREE AND FOUND EVERYONE BUT OURSELVES NAKED FATHER OF THE POOR THE WIDOW AND THE ORPHAN THE MESSAGE IS GIVEN TO US TO CARE NOT TO CONDEMN FRANK A VOLMER

Lazarus

WHEN JESUS CAME TO BETHANY
TO THE TOMB
OF HIS FRIEND
LAZARUS
HE CRIED

NO PLATITUDES
NO EASY SAYING
OF HIS BEING IN A BETTER PLACE
NO REMINDERS OF ETERNAL LIFE

HE CRIED
AS ONLY ONE WHO LOVED
AS DEEPLY AS HE LOVED
COULD CRY

HE CRIED

HE FELT THE DEEP
AND EVER WIDENING CHASM
OF SEPARATION

HE FELT THAT THE SOUL OF HIS FRIEND
WAS LIKE A SHIP LEAVING THE SHORE
SENDING BACK RIPPLES OF REMEMBRANCE
SENDING BACK ECHOES OF OLD CONVERSATIONS
SENDING THEM BACK WITH NO WAY TO ANSWER

PEACE WOULD COME LATER

BUT FOR THE INSTANT
THERE WAS PAIN
TEARS
THE GREAT UNKNOWING
AND TO NEED TO WEEP

BUT IN THE DESOLATION
OF THE MOMENT
HEARTFELT WITH LONELINESS
HE CRIED OUT
LAZARUS COME OUT

AND LAZARUS
CAME OUT
LIKE A SACK RACE RUNNER

AND JESUS
EYES SPARKLING
THOUGHT
LIKE ONE FRIEND
JOSHING ANOTHER

HOP TO IT


FRANK A VOLLMER

The Bridge

THE LEGEND GOES
THERE WAS A TOWN
WITH A BRIDGE
OVER A RIVER
DOWN WHICH
CHILDREN WERE FLOATED
ON A RAFT

THE GOOD CITIZENS WORRIED
THAT A CHILD
WOULD FLOAT BY IN THE NIGHT
AND BE LOST
SO THEY HIRED WATCHMEN
AND HUNG A NET FROM THE BRIDGE
TO CATCH THE RAFTS

THEY WERE DILIGENT
IN SAVING CHILDREN
SOMETIMES MANY
SOMETIMES FEW
FAIR WEATHER OR FOUL
THE WATCHMEN WATCHED

THEN ONE DAY
SOMEONE SAID
WHY ARE THESE CHILDREN
COMING DOWN THE RIVER
WHO WOULD ABANDON A CHILD
IN SUCH A WAY

THEN SOMEONE SAID
LET US GO UPRIVER
FIND OUT WHY
AND TRY TO STOP IT

I WONDER
BECAUSE WE ARE A SINFUL PEOPLE
WE ARE MORE INCLINED
TO EASE THE EFFECTS OF SIN
RATHER THAN THE CAUSE

AS IF OUR SINFULNESS
WEAKENS OUR RESOLVE
AS IF GOD
DOESN'T WANT A SAINTLY PEOPLE
TRYING TO MAKE THE WORLD
WHAT HE WANTS IT TO BE

WE ARE TASKED
TO BE THE WATCHERS
ON THE BRIDGE

WE ARE ALSO TASKED
TO ASK WHY WE ARE NEEDED
AND TO PUT OURSELVES
OUT OF A JOB


FRANK A VOLLMER

LOWEST OF THE LOW

THE FIRST WORDS OF JESUS TO PETER

WERE

COME

BE MY DISCIPLE

HIS LAST WORDS TO PETER

WERE

FOLLOW ME

EVERY STEP OF HIS LIFE

BETWEEN THESE TWO CHALLENGES

PETER NEVER FAILED TO FOLLOW

EVEN THOUGH

AS WE KNOW FROM OUR BIBLE STUDY

HE OFTEN STUMBLED

THE OTHER TWO

JAMES AND JOHN

SEEM TO HAVE JOINED UP

FOR THE WRONG REASONS

THEY SEEMED BE AFFLICTED

WITH SIBLING RIVALRY

JESUS NICK NAMED THEM

SONS OF THUNDER

THEY HAD A BAD TEMPER WHEN CROSSED

BOTH WANTED TO BE IN IMPORTANT PLACES

IN JESUS’ POLITICAL KINGDOM

WHAT DID JESUS SEE IN THEM

WHAT DOES JESUS SEE IN US

IT WAS LESSON TIME FOR THE APOSTLES

AND THROUGH THEM

US

IT WAS TIME FOR AN OBSEQUIOUS DRILL

CALLING A CHILD

WHO WAS LOWER THAN A WOMAN

HIS FATHER’S PROPERTY

WITH NO RIGHTS

A WOMAN’S RESPONSIBILITY

TILL HE WAS OLD ENOUGH TO WORK

CALLING A CHILD

POSSIBLY SOME SNOT NOSED STREET URCHIN

CALLING A CHILD

WHO WAS LOWER THAN A SLAVE

HE SAID

UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING

TO BE A SERVANT OF THIS CHILD

YOU ARE NOT WORTHY OF ME

UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING

TO BE FRIEND

TO THE LOWEST OF THE LOW

YOU SHALL HAVE NO PART OF ME

PETER JAMES AND JOHN

WHO HAD WITNESSED

THE MIRACLE ON TABOR MOUNTAIN

AND WERE FEELING FULL OF THEMSELVES

TO CARE FOR A CHILD WAS WOMAN’S WORK

WHY WAS JESUS

ALWAYS TURNING THE WORLD THEY KNEW

UPSIDE DOWN

THEY DIDN’T GET IT RIGHT AWAY

NOT TOO MUCH LATER

WHEN THE APOSTLES

WERE CHASING CHILDREN FROM HIM

HE SAID

LET THE CHILDREN COME

I AM NOT TOO BUSY

OR TOO IMPORTANT FOR THEM

SERVANT TO THE SERVANTS OF GOD

WE WOULD DO WELL

TO FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE OF IMPORTANCE

FRANK A VOLLMER

Towels

I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT TOWELS
THE SUBJECT IS SURE TO MAKE MEN HOWLS
YOU SEE WHEN YOU GO TO THE JOHN
WHAT YOU HAPPEN UPON
ARE TOWELS ARTFULLY ARRANGED
AND THAT’S THE CAUSE OF SOMETHING STRANGE
AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW
THEY’RE ONLY FOR SHOW
TO USE ONE SHOWS YOU’RE SOCIALLY INEPT
DRYING MY HANDS ON MY PANTS I’M SOCIALLY ADEPT
IT’S TIME FOR MEN TO STAND UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS
LEAVE THE TOILET SEAT UP, NEVER TURN OUT LIGHTS
CLUTTER THE PLACE WITH NEWSPAPERS AND BOOKS
AS LONG AS IT’S CLEAN WHO CARES HOW IT LOOKS
I REALIZE I’M UNDER A CLOUD
I’M MALE NO OPINIONS ALLOWED
OH FOR THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH
WHEN I’D DRY MYSELF WITH A T-SHIRT FOR SOOTH

Proudly submitted frank a VOLLMER

Shitty Shepherds

SHITTY SHEPHERDS
SHEPHERDING
CLEAN SHEEP

SO SAYS THE NOBLE POET
CHAUCER

HOW APT AN IMAGE

A ROLE PLAYED WELL
BY PRIESTS
MINISTERS
RABBIS
POLITICIANS
RULERS

ALL CLOTHED
IN SUNDAY FINERY
WITH THE BEST MANNERS

UNWORTHY SHEPHERDS
OF INNOCENT FLOCKS

TO QUESTION THEM
IS TO QUESTION
THEIR GOD LIKE STANCE
UNHOLY TO DO SO

BUT LATELY
THE SMELL OF THE SHEPHERDS
HAS BECOME TOO GREAT

THEY’VE MADE FRIENDS
WITH THE WOLVES
AND NO LONGER CARE FOR THE SHEEP

AND THE SHEEP
NO LONGER
LISTEN TO THE SHEPHERDS
AND THEIR CALL
TO FOLLOW

FRANK A VOLLMER

Eye of a Needle

A TRADITIONAL WAY OF PREACHING
ON THE CAMEL
AND
EYE OF A NEEDLE STORY
IS TO SAY
THERE WAS A GATE
IN JERUSALEM’S WALLS
LOW AND NARROW

A CAMEL COULD PASS THROUGH
IF HIS BURDEN WAS REMOVED
AND HE ENTERED ON HIS KNEES

A GOOD TEACHING STORY
BUT IT MAY NOT BE TRUE
THE EXPLANATION
IS NOT TRACED
BEYOND THE NINTH CENTURY

THEN WHAT DOES IT MEAN
THE SAYING WAS COMMON
IN THE MIDDLE EAST
A SAYING OF IMPOSSIBILITY

IN BAGHDAD
THE CAMEL
WAS REPLACED BY A ELEPHANT

IT’S POSSIBLE
THE WORD IS MISTRANSLATED
AND MEANS CABLE
HAWSER
LARGE ROPE

HOWEVER IT IS TRANSLATED
IT DENOTES IMPOSSIBILITY
AND YET THE BIBLE SAYS
JESUS
LOVED THE RICH YOUNG MAN
WHO ASKED THE QUESTION

SO BEING RICH
WASN’T WRONG
BUT WHAT HE DID WITH IT
HOW TIGHTLY
HE GRASPED
WHAT HE HAD
AND WOULDN’T SHARE

WE SAY TO THE WORLD
GOD LOVES YOU
HE HAS GIVEN YOU HIS SON
HE HAS GIVEN YOU REDEMPTION
HE HAS GIVEN YOU ALL OF CREATION
TO SHARE

THE HUNGRY IN DARFUR SAY
WHO’S MESSING WITH GOD’S PLAN

THE POOR IN
BRAZIL’S CLUTTERED SLUMS
SAY
WHO’S MESSING WITH GOD’S PLANS

THE VICTIM’S OF RELIGIOUS
AND RACIAL HATRED
SAY
WHO’S MESSING WITH GOD’S PLANS

THE SICK OF THE WORLD
UNABLE
TO PAY FOR MEDICINE
SAY
WHO’S MESSING WITH GOD’S PLANS

I’M SINGING AN OLD SONG
BUT THE MELODY
LINGERS IN MY EAR
LIKE AN EARWORM
ALWAYS IN MY EAR

I BELIEVE
IN GOD
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
WITHOUT THAT BELIEF
NOTHING MAKES SENSE
AND WE ARE NOTHING
BUT A BUNCH OF ATOMS
SPINNING AROUND THE SUN

I BELIEVE
THAT GOD
WITH MAN’S WORKS
CAN REDEEM CREATION
AND CHANGE THE SAYING
TO
WE NEED A SMALLER NEEDLE
THE CAMEL KEEPS FALLING THROUGH


FRANK A VOLLMER

Sketcher

SKETCHER

A FEW LINES ON A PAD OF PAPER

AND CREATION HAPPENS

LIKE LAZARUS COMING TO LIFE

NOT A PICTURE

BUT THE ESSENCE

THE TRUE NATURE

OF WHAT IS PORTRAYED

THE HEART SEES

THE FINGERS DRAWN THE LINES

WHAT IS LEFT OUT

IS AS IMPORTANT

AS THAT SHOWN

AND BOTH ARE LIKE A DREAM

THAT ONE REMEMBERS

AND TRIES TO PUT DOWN

FRANK A VOLLMER

Death in an Amish Schoolhouse

DEATH IN AN AMISH SCHOOLHOUSE

A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR

RECENTLY RELEASED FROM CAMP

CAME ACROSS A THRONG

WAILING DOWN THE ROAD

HE INQUIRED

WHAT HAPPENED

WHAT CAUSED SUCH SORROW

HE WAS TOLD THAT A MAN HAD DIED

AND HE

WHO HAD WITNESSED

THOUSAND OF DEATHS

COULD NOT COMPREHEND

AND STARTED TO LAUGH

SO MUCH TURMOIL OVER ONE DEATH

WHERE WAS THE OUTCRY

WHEN SO MANY DIED

THE AMISH

WHO FOLLOW A BIBLICAL DICTUM

OF BEING IN THE WORLD

BUT NOT OF IT

SAY IN THEIR GENTLENESS

WE FORGIVE THE MURDERER

AS WELL WE SHOULD

AS WELL WE MUST

FORGIVE BUT NOT FORGET

WHAT HAS BROUGHT US TO THIS TERRIBLE PLACE

WHERE INNOCENT LAMBS ARE LED TO SLAUGHTER

HAVE WE GROWN IMMUNE TO DEATH

HAS THE ENEMY FINALLY WON

WE KILL CHRISTIANS

JEWS

MUSLIMS

HINDUS

BUDDHISTS

GAYS

OTHER RACES

OFTEN IN A NAME OF A GOD

BUT THE CHILDREN

SAFELY IN THEIR FATHER'S BOSOM

ACCEPTED AS THEY ARE

AS THEY NEVER WERE

SAY

MOURN OUR DEATH

AND BE NOT PART OF THE KILLING MACHINE

THAT HAS CAUSED SO MUCH PAIN

AND INSPIRED SO MANY KILLERS

MOURN OUR DEATH

AND FORGIVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

AS YOU YOURSELFWOULD WANT TO BE FORGIVEN

AND BY SO DOING

THROW YOURSELF

INTO THE SPOKES OF THE MACHINE

AND STOP IT

FRANK A VOLLMER

The Tolling of the Boats

THE TOLLING OF THE BOATS

LIKE A BELL BUOY
RINGING IN THE NIGHT
BONG BONG
BONG BONG
BONG BONG
THIS WAY
THIS WAY
THIS WAY
AT PEACE
AT PEACE
AT PEACE
AND THE SWIRLING FOG
LEFT TEARS OF REMEMBRANCE
ON THEIR FACES
THE OLD ONES
THE REMEMBERERS

I WAS PRIVILEGED TO BE A GUEST
AT A SUBMARINERS
GRADUATION CEREMONY

THEY LOOKED LIKE CHILDREN
WERE WE EVER THAT YOUNG

BUT ALL GREW SOLEMN
AT THE TOLLING OF THE BOATS
SUBMARINES LOST AT SEA
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE SERVICE

THE BOAT’S NAME WAS CALLED
THE BELL WAS TOLLED
THE DATE AND NUMBER OF DEAD FOLLOWED
A GROWING SENSE OF QUIET
FILLED THE ROOM

SHIPMATES GONE
MEMORIES OF YOUTH
AND GOOD TIMES
AND THE BELL TOLLING
FAREWELL
FAREWELL
FAREWELL

FRANK A VOLLMER

Confetti

CONFETTI

SOME SAY IT SNOWED ON THE DAY OF HIS FUNERAL

RATHER I SAY

IT WAS A JUBILANT GOD THROWING CONFETTI

REJOICING IN THE RETURN OF ONE OF HIS OWN

SCATTERING THE DANCING SNOW

WHIRLING IT IN THE WIND

COVERING ALL

FORGIVING ALL

WELCOMING ALL

ESPECIALLY HIM

FOR WHOM THE FIELD ON LOOKING BACK

HAS NO FOOTMARKS TO MARK HIS FAILINGS

ONLY A FIELD REMADE BY GRACE

AND THE WIND WAS A LAUGHING GOD

TELLING OF ANOTHER SAVED

Frank Vollmer

Christmas

CHRISTMAS

HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN

I MEAN

HIS MOTHER WASN'T THE KIND TO SEND HIM OUT

ON A RAINY NIGHT

FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE WAITED TILL MORNING

BUT SHE'D INSISTED AND HE'D GONE

CLEAR ACROSS THE TOWN

AND FOUND THE PEOPLE THAT HE SOUGHT NOT HOME

THEN STARTED HOME

WET AND A LITTLE SAD

SHE'LL BE DISAPPOINTED

SHE WAS COUNTING ON HAVING IT TONIGHT

WHEN HE'D GOT HOME THE HOUSE WAS UNNATURALLY STILL

TILL HE SHOOK OFF THE RAIN AND STOOD IN THE HALL

CALLING 'MOM ARE YOU HOME'

THEN CAME THE AVALANCHE

A BURSTING OF WORDS OF PEOPLE AND EMOTION

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON

f. a. vollmer

Baptism

BAPTISM

HOW OBSTINATE IS GOD

HOW CONTINUOUS HIS EFFORTS

THE CHANGING OF SEASONS CALLS FOR A CHANGE IN OUR L1VES

THE BURSTING OF GREEN TO SCATTER WINTER'S DESOLATION

THE THAWING OF ICE ... A BROOK RUNNING FREE

A FLIGHT OF GEESE ... A WEATHER VANE FOR THE SOUL

AND YOUR REBIRTH IN CHRIST BY WATER ON A WINTER'S DAY

IS SUCH A SIGN

THAT DEMANDS FROM ME

A NOBILITY OF ACTION FAR BEYOND MY WORTH

I CANNOT MATCH YOUR INNOCENCE NOW

THOUGH ONCE LIKE YOU I WAS REBORN

BUT YOU ARE TO ME A PROD

TO BETTER MY DESTINY

A THORN IN MY SIDE

TO MAKE ME NOT CONTENT

WITH WINTER GREY THAT SEEPS INTO OUR LIVES

BECAUSE OF YOU... I PROMISES RE-MADE

YOU CHALLENGE ME

I THANK YOU

FRIEND

FRANK A VOLLMER

Broken Mirror

BROKEN MIRROR

WHO CAN PUT A LIMIT TO GOD’S LOVE

WHO CAN PUT A FENCE AROUND IT

AND SAY TO THOSE OUTSIDE THE FENCE

YOU DO NOT BELONG TO GOD

WHO COULD BUILD SUCH A FENCE

WE

IN OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE

HAVE BUILT SUCH A FENCE

MUSLIMS

JEWS

HAVE BUILT SUCH FENCES

BUDDHISTS

HINDUS

ET CETERA ET CETERA ET CETERA

HAVE BUILT SUCH FENCES

DOES GOD NOT WEEP

WHEN HE LOOKS AT HIS CREATION

AND SEES PEOPLE CROWDED BEHIND FENCES

WHEN IN HIS PLAN

THERE ARE NO FENCES

IS IT NOT TIME TO SAY

THAT THE SAME SPIRIT

THAT WHISPERS IN OUR EAR

THAT GOD IS LOVE

WHISPERS THE SAME SONG

TO ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

ON WHATEVER SIDE

OF MAN MADE FENCES THEY ARE

THAT THE VIEW OF GOD IS GREATER

THAN OURS

HE IS NOT TRAPPED

BY COUNTRY

CASTE

OR CREED

THAT GOD’S PLAN

IS FOR VALLEYS TO BE FILLED

MOUNTAINS BROUGHT LOW

ROADS LEVEL AND STRAIGHTENED

SO ALL HIS PEOPLE MAY MIGRATE

WHERE THEY WILL

FREELY

UNDER HIS SMILING SUN

WHERE THE LION AND THE LAMB

WILL BE HOUSEHOLD PETS

THAT GOD WHEN HE SENT HIS SON

WANTED CREATION RESTORED

BY HIS BIRTH

WANTED CREATION RESTORED

AS IT WAS AT THE BEGINNING

BEFORE THE MIRROR OF CREATION

WAS SHATTERED

THAT HE WANTED HIS SON

TO BE A CO-WORKER

WITH HIS FELLOW HUMANS

TO BRING BACK TOGETHER

ALL THE PIECES OF THE MIRROR

EACH ONE TASKED TO DO HIS SHARE

ENLIVENED BY THE INCARNATION

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

AS SIMPLE AS THAT

FROM HIS VANTAGE POINT

HE SEES NO FENCES

AND THE WAY

THE TRUTH

AND THE LIGHT

ARE OPEN AND AVAILABLE TO ALL MEN

LORD AS WE LABOR

TO RESTORE THE SHARDS OF YOUR CREATION

AS WE LABOR

TO MAKE THE MIRROR WHOLE

WE CATCH A GLIMPSE OF OURSELVES

IN THE PIECE WE HOLD

AND WE KNOW

THAT WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT YOU

AND YOU ARE SMILING

FRANK A VOLLMER

Musings at Midnight

MUSINGS AT MIDNIGHT


Armies are tools of violence;
They cause men to hate and fear.
The sage will not join them.
His purpose is creation;
Their purpose is destruction.

Weapons are tools of violence,
Not of the sage;
He uses them only when there is no choice,
And then calmly, and with tact,
For he finds no beauty in them.

Whoever finds beauty in weapons
Delights in the slaughter of men;
And who delights in slaughter
Cannot content himself with peace.

So slaughters must be mourned
And conquest celebrated with a funeral.
Lao Tze

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENT IN ALL THE WORLD
CALLING ALL PEOPLE TO CHRIST
BUT THE PEOPLE RESPOND
IF YOUR ACTIONS ARE LIKE YOUR GOD
WE FIND NOTHING TO LIKE

THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS ILLUMINED ALL OUR TEACHERS
SONS OF ABRAHAM
BUDDHA
THE GREEKS AND HINDUS
AND ALL HAVE PROCLAIMED THE GOLDEN RULE


I LIKE THINGS ORIENTAL
FOOD AND PHILOSOPHY
WAY OF PHRASING THOUGHTS
POETRY OF THE CHARACTERS
CASE IN POINT
THE PHRASE
THE END
IT IS FINISHED
USES THE CHARACTERS FOR WINTER AND THREAD
SO CHRIST MIGHT HAVE CALLED OUT
IT IS THE WINTER OF MY THREAD
MY LIFE HAS RUN OUT

IT WOULD BE NICE TO SAY THAT ALL THE PHILOSOPHIES OF THE WORLD
HAVE RESULTED IN PEACE
BUT IT ISN’T TRUE
BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT NEVER GIVES UP
AND IN CHINA’S DARKEST HOURS
THEIR INSPIRED TEACHERS HAVE SAID

A good ruler must possess a clear understanding of the law to be enforced. It should not be enforced just because the ruler has the authority to enforce the law. It must be done in a reasonable manner and with common sense. --Confucius

Let all peoples be happy, weak or strong, of high, middle, low estate, small or great, visible or invisible, near or far away, alive or still to be born. May they all be entirely happy. Let nobody lie to anybody or despise any single being anywhere. May no one wish harm to any single creature out of anger or hatred. Let us cherish all creatures as a mother her only child. May our loving thoughts fill the whole world above, below, across without limit of boundless goodwill toward the whole world, unrestricted, free of hatred and enmity. --Buddha

AND THE SONS OF ABRAHAM HAVE SAID

Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don't stand back and let them die. Don't try to avoid responsibility by saying you didn't know about it. For God knows all hearts, and he sees you. He keeps watch over your soul, and he knows you knew! And he will judge all people according to what they have done. --PROV12:11-12


DO WE NEED ANOTHER TEACHER
TO TELL ALL OF US
TO LIVE UP TO THE TEACHINGS
OF THEIR FAITH
I HOPE NOT
WE WOULD TREAT HIM SHABBILY
AS BEFORE
WE NEED TO PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH
MORE RULES WON’T MAKE RIGHT
IT’S THE HEART THAT NEEDS CHANGING

SAD THOUGHTS AT MIDNIGHT
MY EYES ARE HEAVY
AND SO ARE MY THOUGHTS
BUT THE WORDS OF THE HYMN SOOTH ME

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there

BLESS ALL THE CHILDREN
NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE
OR RACE OR CREED
THEY ALL ARE YOUR CHILDREN
IN YOUR TENDER CARE

FRANK A VOLLMER.

Hypochondriac

HYPOCHONDRIAC


THIS MORNING WHILE I SAT ON THE THRONE
AT WHICH BEING MANLY
I AM EXTREMELY ADEPT
I NOTICED TO MY SHOCK AND SURPRISE
THAT MY BIG TOE
ON MY LEFT FOOT WAS TURNING BLUE
NOW SINCE I AM A CANCER PATIENT
I WAS EXTREMELY CONCERNED
I’M DYING BY THE INCH I THOUGHT
I HAD VISIONS OF THE BLUE CREEPING UP MY LEG
TILL IT WAS GONE
I SET ABOUT THINKING OF A GUEST LIST FOR MY FUNERAL
AND THINGS I’D LIKE THE EULOGISTS TO SAY
GIVING MY BODY TO SCIENCE
HAVE THEM GIVING IT BACK
AS USED AND ABUSED
WONDERING WHO I LEAVE MY JOKE BOOKS TO
OR TO WHOM I WOULD LEAVE MY JOKE BOOKS
THEN I WET MY FINGER
AND RUBBED MY TOE
AND MIRABILE DICTU
THE COLOR CAME OFF
I WAS HIGHLY RELIEVED
AND DISAPPOINTED
I’D DONE SO MUCH PLANNING
SO MY FOOT’S BACK TO NORMAL
AND MY NEW BOUGHT
MULTI COLORED SLIPPERS
HAVE CONFESSED TO THE CRIME
I CAN GO BACK READING THE PAPER
IN PEACE OH SO SUBLIME


FRANK A VOLLMER

WTC

WTC

THOUGHTS OF 9-11 ON CHRISTMAS MORNING


WHEN THE STORIES FELL
WHAT STORIES TO TELL
WHAT STORIES TO TELL
UNTOLD

UNSUNG THE SONG
THAT WAS YET TO BE SUNG
UNWOVEN THE LIFE TO BE LED

AND IN THE SILENCE
THAT FOLLOWED THE ROAR
THE ECHO OF NAMES

MY LAI
AUSCHWITZ
BIAFRA
SUDAN

THE STARVING MOTHER
SUCKLING HER CHILD
WITH A TEAT GONE DRY

WHAT CHILD IS THIS
WHO LAID TO REST
AGAINST A TEAT
GONE DRY

WHAT CHILD IS THIS
WHO LAID TO REST
BY GUNFIRE'S RHYTHMIC CHATTER
ALL IS CALM
ALL IS BRIGHT

DON'T COME
DON'T COME
EMMANUEL
THERE IS NO ROOM FOR YOU HERE
HEROD'S MEN WILL SEARCH YOU DOWN
DON'T COME
DON'T COME
EMMANUEL


IN THE BLEAK MID WINTER
DO NOT COME

THE LULLABY
OF NAMES CONTINUES
JIM CROW
BIRMINGHAM
SELMA
MARTIN LUTHER KING

COME ALL YE FAITHFUL COME
PASSING HOMELESS IN THE STREETS
SHUT THE INN
THEY CANNOT COME IN
THEY HAVE NOT HEARD THE ANGELS SING

WE STAND AROUND AN EMPTY CRIB
WONDERING WHERE THE BABY IS
HE IS NOT HERE
HE IS RESTING ON HIS MOTHER'S BREAST
AGAINST A TEAT GONE DRY

HAVE I NOT SUNG THIS SONG BEFORE
BUT NEVER WITH SUCH MIXED EMOTIONS

OH COME LORD JESUS
FOR WITHOUT YOU
THERE IS NO JOY AT ALL

WHERE SHALL I FIND FOOD FOR SO MANY
WHERE SHALL I FIND FOOD FOR MYSELF

HOW SHALL I TURN SPEARS INTO PRUNING HOOKS

BUT CHRIST IS BORN AGAIN
LIKE WHEAT THAT SPRINGETH GREEN

LIKE A ROSE THAT BLOOMS IN WINTER

ON A TENDER BOUGH
I SHALL NAME A NEW NAME

FORGIVENESS





AND I SHALL SING TO THE HUNGRY CHILD
A WORD THAT WILL NOURISH HIM
FOR TODAY
I WILL TRY TO FORGIVE MY ENEMY
AS YOU HAVE FORGIVEN ME

AND WHEN I FALTER
LET ME HEAR
THE WORDS OF THE LULLABY
HUNGER
POVERTY
BIGOTRY

COME LORD JESUS
COME AGAIN
BRING THE WHEAT
AND GENTLE RAIN
COME AGAIN





FRANK A VOLLMER

Ash Wednesday

NOT AGAIN LORD JESUS

NOT AGAIN

I'VE COME TO DREAD THE SPRING

THE SPRING AND THE MURDERING

AT YOUR BIRTH I COULD CAROL SING

AND THROUGH EPIPHANY WATCH YOU GROW

BUT NOT THE SPRING…NOT THE SPRING

DO YOU LOVE ME CHILD

YOU KNOW I DO

WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR ONE YOU LOVED

ANYTHING

WILL YOU LET ME LOVE YOU AS I MUST

BUT YOU MUST DIE

AYE

THEN COME SWEET DEATH TO KISS MY LOVE

COME SWEET SPRING AND REQUIEM SING

COME SWEET FAULTS THAT SOMEHOW LEAD HIM

ONWARD TO A MERRY DEATH

COME SWEET LOVE AND IN ME PLANT

NEW SEEDS TO GRACE THE COMING SPRING

COME LORD JESUS

COME AGAIN

frank a vollmer

Alleluia

ALLELUIA

LORD THE BOAT IS SINKING

THE SAIL IS RENT

THE STORM IS THREATENING

OUR ENERGY IS SPENT

THERE'S NOT MUCH JOY

AS WAVES COME OVER THE BOW

BUT WE STILL HAVE FAITH IN YOU

ALLELUIA ANYHOW

frank a vollmer

Wrestling

WRESTLING


WRESTLING WITH GOD IS NOT A SIN
BUT A TIME HONORED EVENT
AS WHEN A SYROPHOENICIAN WOMAN
SAID TO JESUS

HEAL MY CHILD

HE SAID
BECAUSE SHE WAS A GENTILE
AND A PAGAN

IT IS NOT RIGHT
TO TAKE THE CHILDREN'S FOOD
AND THROW IT TO THE DOGS

SHE REBUFFED HIM SAYING
EVEN THE DOGS
EAT THE CHILDREN'S
CRUMBS

YOU CAN SEE HIM SMILING
HE'D BEEN BESTED IN AN ARGUMENT
AND HE REPLIED GENTLY

GO
YOUR CHILD IS HEALED




FRANK A VOLLMER

Autumn Now

AUTUMN NOW

ON LEARNING HE HAD LYMPHOMA

I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW

I HAVE FELT WINTER'S FIRST CHILL

AND COULD NOT GET WARM

BUT I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW

I HAVE WONDERED AT THE MARVEL OF THE LEAVES

AT THE BEAUTY OF THEIR PASSING

AND THEIR RELUCTANCE TO LET GO

RELUCTANT TO LEAVE THOSE THEY CARE ABOUT

BECAUSE I LOVE

AND AM LOVED

THEREBY SHARING IN THE DIVINITY

AND IN FACING THE DIVINITY

KNOW

THAT NOT EVERY DAY WAS PERFECT

EVERY DAY

WEEK

MONTH

YEAR

EVERY PAGE

CHAPTER

BOOK

EVERY I NOT DOTTED

EVERY T NOT CROSSED

AND WHEN DONE

NOT DONE WELL

WINTER THOUGHTS

WINTER THOUGHTS

BUT I AM IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW

I ASK THE PAST FOR FORGIVENESS

TO LET ME LAY MY BURDEN DOWN

KNOWING THAT FORGIVENESS

IS ALSO REQUIRED OF ME

IF I WOULD LAY MY BURDEN DOWN

BUT THE DAYS OF AUTUMN ARE NOT OVER

OH THAT I COULD MAKE MY AUTUMN BEAUTIFUL

TO CLING TENACIOUSLY TO THE TREE

NEITHER WILLING DEPARTURE

IN MIND OR BODY

OR THE LEAVING OF LOVED ONES

UNTIL CALLED BY THAT GREAT SUMMONS

TO BEGIN

THAT PEACEFUL

NOSTALGIC

ACCEPTING

JOURNEY HOME

BUT

AS FOR NOW

I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW

AND THERE IS SERENITY IN MY SOUL

FRANK A VOLLMER

Eclipse and a Frozen Lake

ECLIPSE AND A FROZEN LAKE

TONIGHT THE DRAGON HAS SWALLOWED THE MOON

AND THE ICE SOLID LAKE IS MOANING IN SORROW

OH LET MY FRIEND FREE

HE BRINGS SILVER TO THE WORLD

AND MAKES ME BEAUTIFUL AT NIGHT

SOMETIMES WE GAZE AT EACH OTHER

SOMETIMES HE IS BROKEN INTO LITTLE BOATS

THAT FLOAT OFF TO DARK CORNERS

SOMETIMES HE WEAVES DREAMS

LET THERE BE AN END TO DREAMS

THE DRAGON ROARED

BUT IF THERE IS AN END TO DREAMS

THEN ALSO YOU WILL CEASE

THERE WAS SILENCE FOR A WHILE

THERE WAS SILENCE FOR A WHILE LONGER

THE LAKE GROANED

THEN GRADUALLY

SLOWLY

THE DRAGON SET FREE THE MOON

Frank A Vollmer