Unicorn

UNICORN


HOW BEAUTIFUL THE MIST IN THE MOUNTAIN VALLEYS
IT LIES ON THE LAKE LIKE A COMFORTER
IT CALLS ME TO THE WOODS TO WALK IN IT
IT SEEMS TO GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING
WHEN THE WORLD WAS NEW
AND NOT QUITE DRY
WHERE ONE COULD WALK THE FOGGY PATH
AND SEE THE WORLD IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT

PATHS THAT ONE KNEW WELL
TOOK ON A ESPECIAL APPEARANCE
WITH PEARLS OF WATER
LINING EVERYTHING
IT WAS A TIME WHERE ONE MIGHT EXPECT
AROUND THE BEND
TO MEET A UNICORN
A THING OF BEAUTY

IT WAS EASY TO GET LOST
NOT PAYING ATTENTION
CARRIED AWAY BY THE DREAM LANDSCAPE
EASY TO GET LOST

A RULE OF OUTDOORS IS
WHEN LOST STAND STILL
SOMEONE WILL FIND YOU
DON'T WANDER FURTHER AWAY

THERE IS A RULE IN SPIRITUALITY
THAT SAYS
WHEN YOUR MIND IS CLOUDY
AND GOD SEEMS FAR AWAY
KEEP DOING WHAT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING
TILL THE FOG LIFTS
IT'S CALLED THE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL

AND AS I STOOD LOST
IN A SLEEPLESS NIGHT
WITH A MIND THAT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN
LEARNING NAMES OF MEDICINES
AND PROCEDURES
AND THE WORD ONCOLOGY


HOW WE DESTROY
TO REBUILD

HOW I MUST SWALLOW THE WITCHES BREW
THAT MIGHT CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS
WHICH WOULD NEED SEPARATE CURES
A FOGGY NIGHT IN MY MIND INDEED

BUT I WAS NOT ALONE
AND NEVER HAD BEEN
FOR JESUS CAME AND SAID
BE AT PEACE AND STAY WHERE YOU ARE
YOU WERE AND NEVER WHERE ALONE

YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS
AND THOUGH I MAY SEEM FAR FROM YOU
WHEN MEDICINE AND SICKNESS CLOUD YOUR MIND
I HAVE NEVER LEFT

AND WHEN THE FOG LIFTS
I SHALL RETURN
MOUNTED ON A UNICORN
AND I SHALL SAY TO YOU
CLIMB UP SINGER MAN
WE HAVE MUCH BEAUTY STILL TO DO

FRANK A VOLLMER

Soliloquy #3

SOLILOQUY #3

ANOTHER SLEEPLESS NIGHT
BROUGHT ON BY MEDICINE
AND THOUGHTS OF KATRINA

I WILL RESTORE ORDER
THE GREAT MAN SAID
TO THE HUNGRY AND THIRSTY
I WILL RESTORE ORDER

NO THOUGHT OF USING
THE MIGHTY MACHINES OF WAR
TO DELIVER FOOD
LIKE THEY BUILD A BRIDGE IN IRAQ
INSTANTLY

IS THIS THE WAY WE HANDLE OUR POOR
RESTORE ORDER
AND THE CRY OF THE POOR
BECOMES LIKE THE RUMBLE OF DISTANT THUNDER

SO POOR BLACK MEN LOOTED
AND POOR WHITE MEN STOLE BREAD
AND NOTED PUNDITS SAID
WE ARE SEVEN MEALS AWAY FROM ANARCHY
BUT I WILL RESTORE ORDER
AND WHEN WE GET AROUND TO IT
FOOD

WHEN JESUS
WANTED TO SHOW JOHN WHO HE WAS
HE SAID
TELL HIM THE POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL
PREACHED TO THEM

FIRST WE MAKE THEM POOR
THEN COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR POVERTY

WE HAVE NO DARK AGES
BUT MANY DARK PAGES
LIKE SEPARATE DRINKING FOUNTAINS
BATHROOMS
SCHOOLS
CHURCHES
PLACES ON A BUS
LITTLE CHILDREN
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
REMOVE THE CAUSE OF THE PAIN

GRADUALLY
THE SITUATION BETTERS
BUT THE POOR
ARE STILL LOOKING FOR
THOSE WHO PRACTICE
WHAT THEY PREACH


FRANK A VOLLMER

She Who Never Sleeps

SHE WHO NEVER SLEEPS



God is himself Love, and it is because of love that we pursue him. In his ineffable majesty he is our Father, but in the comfort ‘ he extends to us he has become our mother. Yes, the Father in his love became a woman, and the Son whom he brought forth from himself is strong proof of this.




SO SAYS THE HOLY MAN CLEMENT
IN THE COMFORT HE EXTENDS
HE BECOMES OUR MOTHER

HOW REASSURING
BEHIND THE TRADITIONAL
HARSH FACE OF THE FATHER
THERE IS A WOMAN
WATCHING OVER US

SHE WHO WATCHES OVER ME
IS PATTERNED
AFTER SUCH A GOD

THROUGH ALL MY PHYSICAL AFFLICTIONS
AND DEEP DEPRESSION
SHE HAS BEEN WITH ME
TENDING ME
NURSING ME
CHASING AWAY SHADOWS
PULLING ME TOWARD THE LIGHT

WITHOUT A GRUMBLE
WELL MAYBE A LITTLE
SHE’S NO SAINT
WELL MAYBE IN TRAINING

EVEN NOW I MUST BE QUIET
IF I MAKE A NOISE
OUT OF THE DARKNESS I HEAR
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT


HOW DID I MANAGE
TO HAVE SUCH A PEARL


WITH APOLOGIES TO DAVID I SAY
SHE NEITHER SLUMBER
NOR SLEEPS
WHO WATCHES OVER ME

IF THESE ARE THE FINAL DAYS OF MY JOURNEY
I COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER COMPANION
TO WATCH THE SUNSET COME DOWN
A GLORIOUS FINISH

FRANK A VOLLMER

Elijah

ELIJAH

AND I LOOKED FOR THE LORD
WALKING THE HIGH RIDGE BUFFETED BY STORM
WATCHING THE AVALANCHE COME CRASHING DOWN
AND CRIED
WHERE ARE YOU LORD
BUT HEARD ONLY THE WIND

I STOOD BEFORE A WATERFALL
AND WATCHED THE MAGNIFICENT PLUNGE OF WATER
DEAFENED BY ITS ROAR
AND CRIED
WHERE ARE YOU LORD

THE WOODS CAUGHT FIRE THE FLAME RAGED FIERCE
THE HEAT BROKE ROCKS
RELENTLESS WAS THE FLAME
IT COULD NOT BE CONTAINED
AND I CRIED
WHERE ARE YOU GOD

THEN ONE FALL DAY
BY A LITTLE BROOK
WITH BUT THE SUN TO WARM ME
A BIT OF A BREEZE SPUN SOME LEAVES
AND SAID
HERE

A Meditation

A MEDITATION


IF ANYONE WOULD COME AFTER ME
HE MUST DENY HIMSELF
TAKE UP HIS CROSS
AND FOLLOW ME.


HOW MANY TIMES WE HAVE BEEN TOLD
IT’S THE CROSS WE MUST BEAR
FAMILY TRIALS
SICKNESS
ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES
DEATH

I DO NOT BELIEVE
THE NORMAL TRIALS
AND TRAVAILS
OF ORDINARY LIFE
ARE SENT AS TESTS

WE FAIL SO MANY
AND IF MY SUFFERING
HAS NO RELIGIOUS VALUE
WHAT GOOD IS SUFFERING

IT BOTHERS ME
AS AN ANACHRONISM
THAT CHRIST WOULD SAY
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS
A CROSS WAS NOT THE JEWISH WAY OF DEATH
STONING WAS

I COULD SEE
TAKE UP YOUR YOKE
YOUR BURDENS
AND FOLLOW ME
FOR IN ME
YOU WILL FIND REST

BUT NOT THE CROSS

WHAT ELSE COULD HE MEAN

PALESTINE
WAS AN OCCUPIED COUNTRY
AND THE ROMAN ARMY KEPT THE PEACE
AND THEY
AS SO MANY SOCIETIES
HAVE DONE
USED THE DEATH PENALTY
TO CURB CRIME

A COMMON SIGHT
WAS A PERSON
WITH THE UPPER PART OF THE CROSS
TIED ACROSS THEIR SHOULDERS
AND FORCED TO MARCH
FROM THE COURT TO THE CRUCIFIXION PLACE

PART OF THE RITUAL
WAS TO MAKE THE DYING
AS HORRIBLE AS POSSIBLE
THE SOLDIERS BORED WITH THE TASK
INURED TO THE SUFFERING
WOULD CRUCIFY UPSIDE DOWN
SIDEWAYS
IMPALED ON A SPIKE
STRIPPED NAKED

THE PEOPLE SEEING THE PROCESSION
WOULD SAY
CRIMINAL

BUT I THINK WHAT CHRIST IS SAYING
YOU MUST BE WILLING TO APPEAR
LIKE A COMMON CRIMINAL
LIKE ONE
SOCIETY
IS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH

LIKE BONHOFFER
LIKE MARTIN LUTHER
LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING

I REMEMBER A LEARNED BISHOP SAYING
IT IS NOT PROPER FOR CHURCH PEOPLE
TO MARCH IN FREEDOM MARCHES
AND BE ARRESTED
IT DOESN’T LOOK GOOD FOR THE CHURCH

BUT CHRIST SAYS
UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING
TO TAKE THE CROSS
AND WALK TO THE JEERS OF THE CROWD
YOU CANNOT FOLLOW ME

IF ANYONE WOULD COME AFTER ME
HE MUST DENY HIMSELF
TAKE UP HIS CROSS
AND FOLLOW ME


FRANK A VOLLMER

Dietrich's Death

DIETRICH’S DEATH


FROM PRISON CELL TO KILLING GROUND
HE WENT PEACEFULLY
QUIETLY
AT EASE WITH HIMSELF
HIS GOD
AND HIS ACTIONS

HE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER
NOT EVERY ACTION WAS NOBLE
BUT EVENTUALLY
HE DID WHAT HE FELT HE HAD TO DO
AND HE FELT CONTENT

HE WALKED NAKED
TO THE DERISION OF THE GUARDS
YOU SAVED JEWS
SAVE YOURSELF
HE MUTTERED NOT A WORD
LIKE A LAMB BEING LED TO SLAUGHTER
LIKE A TRAITOR TO THE GALLOWS
BUT HE HAD WRITTEN

The church must fight evil in three stages:
The first was to question state injustice and call the state to responsibility;
The second was to help the victims of injustice, whether they were church members or not.
Ultimately, however, the church might find itself called "not only to help the victims who have fallen under the wheel, but to fall into the spokes of the wheel itself" in order to halt the machinery of injustice

AND HE HAD ELECTED
TO BE A SPOKE
HIS MOTTO
FROM PROVERBS WAS

Open your mouth for the mute

HE REGRETTED THE SUBTERFUGE
REQUIRED FROM BEING A SPOKE
HE HAD WRITTEN


We have been silent witnesses of evil deeds: we have been drenched by many storms; we have learnt the arts of equivocation and pretence; experience has made us suspicious of others and kept us from being truthful and open; intolerable conflicts have worn us down and even made us cynical. Are we still of any use


HE FELT CALM
AS HE WALKED
EMITTING PEACE


Only the one for whom the final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all these, when in faith and sole allegiance to God he is called to obedient and responsible action: the responsible person, whose life will be nothing but an answer to God's question and call

FOR GRACE DID NOT COME CHEAP

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate


THE CHURCH HAD SOLD ITS BIRTHRIGHT
IT WANTED CHEAP GRACE

The church is the church only when it exists for others. The church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not by dominating but by helping and serving


AND IN HIS REFLECTIONS ON DEATH
HE WROTE

Whenever Christ calls us, his call leads us to death

AND


This is the end, for me the beginning of life

HE WOULD SAY TO US

Keep well
Enjoy the beautiful country
Spread joy around you
And keep it to yourself as well

HE KEEP REPEATING
JOY
JOY
JOY
UNTIL THE ROPE TIGHTENED
AND HE WAS GONE


FRANK A VOLLMER


Dietrich Bonhoeffer
1906-45
GERMAN MARTYR UNDER NAZISM

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (February 4, 1906 – April 9, 1945) was a German Christian religious leader and participant in the resistance movement against Nazism. Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor and theologian, took part in the plots being planned by members of the Abwehr (Military Intelligence Office) to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually hanged following the failure of the July 20, 1944 assassination attempt

Nicodemus

NICODEMUS



GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS
AND SECOND CHANCES
HERE I AM AGAIN

DID NICODEMUS UNDERSTAND
WHEN JESUS SAID
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN
AND GOT HUNG UP ON BIOLOGY

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN
EACH MORNING BORN AGAIN
AS IF RISING FROM YOUR BATH

NICODEMUS DID YOU KNOW
FIRST BORN
WET FROM YOUR MOTHER'S WOMB
THAT YOU WERE GOD'S SPECIAL CHILD
AS WE ALL ARE

OH NICODEMUS
GROWN SO OLD
AND ASKING THE SAME QUESTIONS
I HAVE COME TO BRING WATER
TO THE WORLD
AND BLOOD
TO BRING LIFE
I HAVE COME TO LOVE THE WORLD
AND SAVE IT


MASTER
I HAVE ALWAYS FELT SPECIAL TO GOD
AND COULD NOT COMPREHEND
THE EVIL DONE IN GOD'S NAME
LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO KILL YOU

MY DREAM IS ALWAYS THAT MEN WILL CHANGE
MY HOPE IS ALWAYS THAT MEN WILL CHANGE



NICODEMUS
BE AT MY DEATH AND BURIAL
I WOULD LIKE A FRIENDLY HAND THERE
I HAVE SUCH A NEED FOR LOVE

FOR NOW OLD FRIEND
LET US SIT BY YOUR FIRE
FRIENDLY
AND IN GOOD HUMOR

IN THE SURE HOPE
OF NEW BEGINNINGS
AND SECOND CHANCES

OH GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS
AND SECOND CHANCES
HERE WE ARE AGAIN

FRANK A VOLLMER

Fisher of Men

FISHER OF MEN

WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE YOUNG
WE SPENT EACH SUMMER
CAMPING IN THE WOODS OF PENNSYLVANIA
OVER TIME
MY CHILDREN BECAME EXPERT FISHERMEN
EVEN TODAY
MY CHILDREN FISH IN PLACES
LIKE ALASKA, MEXICO, MAINE, JAPAN, PENNSYLVANIA AND CALIFORNIA
THEY ARE KIND OF ADDICTED TO FISHING

DAD DID NOT FISH
HE WAS TOO BUSY BAITING HOOKS
POOR DAD

SO ONE FATHER’S DAY
MY CHILDREN GAVE ME A POCKET FISHERMAN
WHICH WAS A FOLD UP FISHING POLE
WITH A SET OF HOOKS

NEXT DAY
EARLY IN THE MORNING
I PICKED UP
MY POCKET FISHERMAN
AND WALKED TO THE LAKE
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL MORNING
WITH FOG
LAYING ON THE GROUND
ABOUT FOUR FEET THICK
SO THAT ALL YOU COULD SEE
OF ME
OR ANYONE ELSE
WAS OUR HEADS

WHEN I GOT TO THE LAKE
I SAW A MAN FISHING
SO OUT OF COURTESY
I MOVE A HUNDRED FEET AWAY FROM HIM
I UNFOLDED MY FISHING POLE
BAITED MY HOOK
REACHED BACK WITH MY POLE
MADE A PERFECT CAST
AND CAUGHT THE TREE BEHIND ME

AFTER A TERRIFIC FIGHT WITH THE TREE
I FREED MY HOOK
BUT NOT BEFORE I HAD AWAKENED
EVERY BIRD IN THE FOREST
NOT TO MENTION
SEVERAL SCOLDING SQUIRRELS
AND SORRY TO SAY
MY FISHING COMPANION
WHO WAS A HUNDRED FEET AWAY
LEFT IN ABSOLUTE DISGUST
AT MY AMATEURISHNESS

IF AT THAT MOMENT
JESUS HAD WALKED THROUGH THE MIST
AND SAID TO ME
FRANK
I WILL MAKE YOU A FISHER OF MEN
I WOULD HAVE SAID
YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING

BUT GOD IS GOOD AT TAKING
THE BROKEN SPEAR
THE UNBROKEN HORSE
THE INEPT FISHERMAN
AND WORKING HIS WILL THROUGH THEM


SO JESUS SAYS
INVITING ME TO BE HIS DISCIPLE
INVITING ME
KNOWING I AM NOT UP TO THE JOB
INVITING ME
KNOWING
THAT AS A FISHERMAN
I OFTEN CATCH TREES

BUT HIS MIGHT
WILL MAKE UP
FOR MY LACK

HE INVITES ME
BECAUSE A LONELY GOD
NEEDS ME
FOR A FRIEND
AND CO-WORKER

HE SAYS
COME
COME MY BELOVED
COME
MY LITTLE CATCHER OF TREES
COME
I WILL MAKE YOU A FISHER OF MEN

COME
BE WITH ME
BECAUSE I LOVE YOU
COME
COME
AND BE MY FRIEND




FRANK A VOLLMER

Farewell

FAREWELL

HE ENJOYED WATCHING THEM WORK
GATHERING THEIR NETS
OR DRYING THEM
SORTING THE FISH
NO WASTED MOTION
WORKMEN DOING THEIR WORK
WELL
TEAM WORK

IT REMINDED HIM OF JOSEPH
HOW THEY COULD WORK IN THE SHOP
LAUGHING OR QUIET
AS THE MOOD CAME ON
WORKMEN DOING THEIR JOB
PROUD AND WELL

I GIVE YOU THE KEYS
TO WORK WORN HANDS
I GIVE THE KEYS
I SHALL MISS YOU ALL

AND THEN HE WAS GONE

AND THEY STOOD THERE
SEARCHING THE SKY
AS FISHERMEN WILL
CHECKING THE WEATHER

MEN OF GALILEE
THE ANGEL SAID
WHY SEARCH YOU THE HEAVENS
YOUR WORK IS HERE

BUT WE ARE AFRAID
SAID THE FISHERMEN
AS WELL YOU MIGHT BE
SAID THE ANGEL
IF YOU WERE LEFT ALONE

BUT YOU ARE NOT ALONE
NOT ALONE
FOR AS SURE
AS THE RUNNING OF THE SEA
OR EBBING TIDE
IS HIS FAITHFULNESS AND LOVE
AND HE HAS NOT LEFT YOU LONELY
HE HAS NOT LEFT YOU LONELY
HE HAS NOT LEFT YOU LONELY

F. A. VOLLMER

I Must Remember

I MUST REMEMBER...



I MUST REMEMBER TO BE GRATEFUL
I AM
BUT OFTEN WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING
IT’S HARD TO REMEMBER RAIN
I MUST REMEMBER TO BE THANKFUL

I WAS AT DEATH’S DOOR
I HEARD THE SIREN CALL
COME
END PAIN
CONFUSION
LIMITED MOBILITY
HALTING SPEECH
CONFUSION
AND I WAS TEMPTED
MOROSE
I WANTED OUT
I WAS SEVERELY TEMPTED

I'VE ALWAYS FELT
I WAS ONE OF GOD’S FAVORITES
AND I WAS DEEPLY ASHAMED
AND PUT GOD FAR AWAY
BUT HE WOULDN'T GO

SEE LOVE
HE SAID
SEE ME
IN YOUR WIFE
CHILDREN
CHILDREN’S CHILDREN
FRIENDS
PEOPLE WHO OPEN DOORS
AND OFFER SEATS
SEE GOD IN GOODNESS AROUND YOU
ALL OF THEM SINGING LIVE
THERE WOULD BE A HOLE IN OUR HEART
IF YOU WERE GONE
LIVE

MY WIFE’S CARE
LAUGHTER OF CHILDREN
PRAYER OF FRIENDS
AND STRANGERS
CALLED ME BACK FROM THE DOOR

LIKE COMING UP FROM A DEEP PLACE
LIKE COMING UP FROM WATER
LIKE COMING OUT OF THE FONT
AFTER IMMERSION
LIVE
CHILD OF GOD
LIVE

AND THEN I TOLD A JOKE
GOOD FOR ME
NOT SO GOOD FOR EVERYONE ELSE
AND KNEW I WAS ON THE MEND

I MUST REMEMBER TO BE GRATEFUL
FOR THE LOVE ALL AROUND ME
AND GOD’S HAND
ALWAYS
ON MY SHOULDER


FRANK A VOLLMER

Come Holy Goose (Acts 2)

COME HOLY GOOSE

IT DIDN'T START OUT TO BE A NOISY DAY
IN FACT THEY WERE TRYING TO BE INVISIBLE
HIDDEN BEHIND LOCKED DOORS

HE’D GONE AWAY
AND THE WAY A CHILD IS CONSOLED
BY THE SOUND OF ITS PARENT VOICE
WAS DENIED THEM

WHEN SUDDENLY THE SHUTTERS BLEW OPEN
AND KEPT BANGING BACK AND FORTH
THE ROOM WAS FILLED WITH A RUSHING WIND
THAT BLEW EVERYTHING LOOSE
AROUND THE ROOM

THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH WIND
THEY WERE FISHERMEN
WHAT THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH
WERE TONGUES OF FIRE
THAT SETTLES ON THEIR HEADS
BUT DID NOT BURN
DID NOT BURN
BUT INFLAMED THEM

SO THAT THE ROOM WAS TOO SMALL
THEY RUSHED OUT TO MEET A CROWD
GATHERED BY THE SOUND OF THE WIND
AND NO MATTER
WHAT LANGUAGE
THE QUESTION
WHAT HAPPENED
WAS ASKED
THE ANSWER THEY HEARD WAS THEIR OWN LANGUAGE

AMONG THE CROWD WAS HEARD
WERE NOT THESE
THE COWARDS
THAT RAN AWAY
BUT NOW THEY SPEAK WITH ENTHUSIASM
LIKE MEN
DRUNK BEFORE THE NOON DAY HOUR
PROCLAIMING THE MERCY OF GOD

IN CELTIC TIMES
THE HOLY SPIRIT
WAS OFTEN PORTRAYED
AS A WILD GOOSE
A FITTING SYMBOL
FOR A RAUCOUS BIRTHDAY
NOT THE DOVE
COOING PEACEFULLY ON THE NEST
CONTENT
BUT A BOLD BRASH IMAGE
AN IN YOUR FACE BIRD
NO ONE HARMS WHAT IS MINE BIRD
A GET OUT OF THE PEWS AND DANCE BIRD
A MAKE YOUR VOICE BE HEARD BIRD
LET THE WORLD KNOW YOU'RE HERE BIRD

WE NEED THE DOVE
TO REMIND US THAT GOD IS GENTLE
WE NEED THE GOOSE
TO REMIND US
THAT GOD WILL BE HEARD
WE NEED THE GOOSE TO REMIND US
THAT THERE IS NEVER A POLITE TIME TO BE HEARD
IF YOUR BROTHER CRIES
TAKE CARE OF HIM
WE NEED TO LIVE LIKE THE WILD GOOSE LIVES
TRUE TO HIS NATURE
AND NOISY


FRANK A VOLLMER

The Birds

FROM: SONGS FOR A FRIEND

THE BIRDS

IT WASN'T THAT HE DIDN'T LIKE CHRISTMAS
HE ENJOYED THE HOLIDAY FUN
ALL THE BRIGHT COLORS AND SUDDEN GOOD WILL
AND THE CHILDREN'S HAPPY SUSPENSE

BUT HE COULDN'T BELIEVE IN CHRISTMAS
IN THE INCARNATION I MEAN
GOD LIVING A MAN-LIFE LIKE HIS? WHAT FOR?
IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO HIM

HE SAT BY THE FIRE
WARM IN HIS HOME
ON CHRISTMAS EVE ALONE
THE FAMILY GONE OFF TO MIDNIGHT MASS

HE HEARD A THUMP AT THE WINDOW
AND THEN ANOTHER
SOME MISCHIEF BOY OUT FOR FUN HE THOUGHT
HE WENT TO THE WINDOW TO CHASE HIM WITH A GLANCE

BUT FOUND NO BOY
BUT A SPARROW FLOCK
LURED BY THE LIGHT AND SIGHT OF WARMTH
HAD TRIED TO COME THROUGH HIS WINDOW

THEY HUDDLED NOW IN THE SNOW
WITH NO PLACE TO GO
AND HE FELT COMPASSION FOR THEM
HE PUT ON HIS BOOTS AND JACKET AND SCARF
AND OUT HE WENT TO OPEN THE GARAGE
TO GIVE THEM SHELTER

BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
SO HE TURNED ON THE LIGHT
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
HE WENT AND GOT BREAD
AND THREW IT MANNA LIKE UPON THE SNOW
A PATH TO FOLLOW
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
HE TRIED TO HERD THEM IN
SHOUTING AND WAVING HIS ARMS
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME

I'M SCARING THEM HE THOUGHT
I'M SO BIG COMPARED TO THEM
AND DIFFERENT

IF BUT FOR A MOMENT I COULD BE A SPARROW
I COULD LEAD THEM THROUGH THE DOOR
I COULD LEAD THEM THROUGH.....THE DOOR



(a twice told tale)

FRANK A. VOLLMER

The Shell

THE SHELL


IS IT JUST HIS DEATH THAT WE REMEMBER
IN THIS GIVING OF THIS CUP
THIS SHELL THIS BAPTISMAL DEVICE
THIS GOLDEN SCALLOP
THAT SCOOPS UP WATER FROM THE FONT
AND TRICKLES IT DOWN OUR HEAD
AND CALL US TO BE CHRISTIAN

DO WE JUST REMEMBER HIS DEATH
OR MORE FOR IS NOT THE CUP A SYMBOL POOR
OF SOME GREAT WAVE THAT OVERWHELMS US
SPILLING US FROM OUR FEET
PLUNGING US INTO A VIOLENT SEA
BEATING PUMMELING CHOKING BRUISING
UNTIL WE STRUGGLE TO OUR FEET
GASPING AIR AS SOMETHING PRECIOUS
WILLING TO LIVE

A BETTER SYMBOL PERHAPS OF THAT TIME
WHEN ALL THAT WAS MY FATHER CEASED
AND ALL HE WANTED TO BE BECAME
A GOING AWAY AND COMING BACK
A SAYING OF HELLO -GOODBYE
TO CALL MY FATHER A SAINT
WOULD BE TO NOT REMEMBER HIM

BUT TO CALL HIM A MAN
WHO LAUGHED AND LONGED YEARNED AND DREAMED
WHO CRIED OUT OFTEN IN THE DARKNESS OF HIS BEING
WHO WAS OFTEN ANGRY HURT OR IN SOME PAIN
WHO LOVED WITH BOTH A LARGE AND NARROW HEART
WHO WANTED LOVE APPLAUSE AND OTHER MAN'S ESTEEM
WHO SAW DREAMS CRUMBLE IN HIS ALL THUMBS HAND
WHO CRIED OH GOD TELLS ME WHO I AM
THIS PICTURE OF A MAN WHO AS I GROW
BECOMES SURPRISINGLY JUST LIKE ME

THIS CUP IN WHOSE HOLLOW I CAN HEAR THE OCEAN'S ROAR
THIS SYMBOL OF AN OCEAN POOR
THIS GOING DOWN TO DEATH
TO BE CALLED BACK BY WATER
RUNNING LIKE RAINDROPS ON THE FACE
LIKE MY TEARS FALLING AS MY FATHER WENT
FOR REBIRTH
AND THE BEGINNING OF DREAMS



FRANK A VOLLMER

Brook

BROOKS

NO BROOK IN MID WINTER THAW
EVER LOOKS THE SAME
FROM ONE BROOK TO ANOTHER
THEY NEVER LOOK THE SAME
EVEN THE SAME BROOK
DAILY VISITED
NEVER LOOKS THE SAME

IT’S AS IF GOD HAD HAD A ZEN MOMENT
A SATORI
AN ENLIGHTENMENT
AND THEN HAD WRITTEN
IN AN ARABESQUE STYLE
UPON THE ICE THAT COVERED THE BROOK
AND WHERE HE TOUCHED IT
IT BECAME WATER
EACH ONE DONE
WITH THE CASUALNESS
OF AN ARTIST
PLYING HIS TRADE

EACH ONE OF GOD’S CREATIONS
IS UNIQUE
AS WE ARE UNIQUE
TAKEN FROM NOTHINGNESS
TO BEING
BY GOD’S WRIT
BY HIS WORD
BY HIS NEED TO BE LOVED

SO HE CREATES LOVERS
THAT HE MIGHT GAZE UPON THEM
AS I GAZE UPON THE BROOK
THE DIFFERENCE IS
THAT GOD WISTFULLY HOPES
THAT THE LOVER
WILL LOVE HIM IN RETURN

FRANK A. VOLLMER

The View

THE VIEW


THAT’S SO SECOND GRADE POPPOP
THIS FROM MY GRANDDAUGHTER
AFTER MY TELLING HER
ONE OF MY WORLD FAMOUS
KNOCK KNOCK JOKES

OR TALK TO THE HAND
THE FACE ISN'T LISTENING
AFTER I'VE TEASED HER
TO THE POINT OF EXASPERATION

OR TO GET MY GOAT
SHE'LL SWEETLY ASK ME
TO TELL HER ABOUT THE OLD DAYS
THEN STIFLES A YAWN
AND CROSSES HER EYES

I DON'T KNOW HOW THE WORLD WILL SURVIVE
IF I DON'T TEACH MY GRANDCHILDREN
HOW TO TAKE OFF THE TOP OF THEIR FINGER
OR THE WORDS TO LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING UP
SO MUCH TO DO
SO LITTLE TIME

I HAVE LIVED THE BIBLICAL GOOD LIFE
I HAVE SEEN MY CHILDREN’S CHILDREN
AND BEYOND
THERE WERE TIMES I THOUGHT
THEY'D ALL END UP IN PRISON
BUT IN SPITE OF ALL MY PARENTING MISTAKES
THEY'VE TURNED OUT WELL
AND I AM PROUD OF THEM

TO CLIMB A MOUNTAIN
ONE MUST ENDURE THE PAIN OF THE CLIMB
SO IT IS WITH PARENTING
I HAVE REACHED THE PINNACLE
AND THE VIEW IS WORTH THE CLIMB


FRANK A VOLLMER

Tempest

TEMPEST

SO SOFT HAD HE SPOKE
THAT PETER BENDING CLOSE
COULD SCARCELY HEAR
HIS COMMAND TO THE STORM
PEACE BE STILL
GOD'S HAND RAN ACROSS THE SKY
GATHERING THE DARK AND SHOWING STARS
HIS HAND RAN ACROSS THE SEA'S ANGRY BROW
AND SOOTHED IT
IF GOD BY A WORD CAN STILL THE SEA
CAN HE NOT STILL THE TEMPEST THAT RAGES IN ME



FRANK A VOLLMER

Skolops

SKOLOPS

WHEN PAUL
SPOKE OF A THORN IN HIS SIDE
HE USED THE GREEK WORD SKOLOPS
WHICH AT ITS ROOT MEANS SHARPENED STICK
LIKE SPEAR OR STAKE FOR IMPALEMENT
MUCH MORE THAN THORN
HE DID NOT MEAN
A TAG ON YOUR CLOTHES
THAT BOTHERS YOU
OR A PIN LEFT IN A NEW SHIRT
A REAL PROD
THAT HE PRAYED TO BE RID OF
TO NO AVAIL
JUST AS ALL OF US HAVE PRODS
THAT WE PRAY TO BE RID OF
TO NO AVAIL
TO BE RID OF THESE PRODS
WOULD DENY US THE JOY OF LIVING

BUT THERE ARE OTHER PRODS
TO THE BODY OF CHRIST
FAMINE IN AFRICA
POVERTY IN LATIN AMERICA
BILLIONS IN WEAPONRY
PENNIES FOR MEDICINE
RACIAL HATRED OR BLINDNESS
AFTER TWO THOUSAND YEARS
WE SHOULD BE DOING BETTER

WILL GOD’S HEART WOUND EVER HEAL
IF WE STAB IT CONTINUALLY
IF WE PAY NO HEED TO HIS TEACHING
WHAT YOU DO TO THE LEAST OF YOUR BRETHREN
THAT YOU DO UNTO ME

PROD US FATHER
MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME
NOW
AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

FRANK A VOLLMER

Sand

SAND


SITTING ON THE BEACH
SIFTING SAND FROM MY HAND
WATCHING THE WIND TAKE IT AWAY
MAKING NEW CONTOURS ON THE SHORE
ALWAYS RESTLESS
ALWAYS MOVING

I MAKE A MARK IN THE SAND
BUT THE WIND COMES
AND IT IS NO MORE
ITS PLACE IS GONE FROM MEMORY

THE WIND BLOWS WHERE IT CHOOSES
AND NO ONE KNOWS
WHERE IT COMES FROM
OR WHERE IT GOES

I LOOK AT THE SAND AND SEA
AND THINK
WHO HAS GATHERED UP THE WIND
IN THE HOLLOW OF HIS HANDS

WHO HAS WRAPPED UP THE WATERS
IN HIS CLOAK

WHO HAS ESTABLISHED
ALL THE ENDS
OF THE EARTH

WHAT IS HIS NAME,
AND THE NAME OF HIS SON

TELL ME IF YOU KNOW

THE SAND IS BLOWING WHERE IT WILL
THE OCEAN IS SAFELY IN ITS PLACE
AND I
INSIGNIFICANT
AS A GRAIN OF SAND
GOING WHERE THE WIND WILL TAKE ME
CONTENT
THAT GOD WILL TAKE CARE
OF HIS OWN

FRANK A VOLLMER

Rainbows

RAINBOWS


EACH MAN SEES HIS OWN RAINBOW
BASED ON THE OBSERVER’S POSITION
AND THE PLACE OF THE SUN

ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING PERHAPS
THAT GOD WANTS TO HAVE PEACE SO MUCH
HE GIVES IT TO EACH ONE OF US INDIVIDUALLY

THE BOW OF THE RAINBOW IS AWAY FROM EARTH
PROTECTING THE ONE BENEATH

FANTASY PERHAPS
BUT NOT TOO FAR FROM THE POETRY THAT IS GOD

PEACE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WAR
LOVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HATE
WHERE DOGMA BRINGS DEATH
CAN WE NOT SAY WITH ASSURANCE
WE'VE GOT IT WRONG

FRANK A VOLLMER

Poppies

POPPIES

THE POPPIES THAT LITTERED THE BATTLEFIELD
WERE BROUGHT ON BY THE LITTER OF WAR
FOR POPPIES ONLY GROW ON BROKEN SOIL
WHETHER BY PLOW OR BOMBARDMENT
THE POPPY DOESN'T CARE
IT GROWS IN BROKEN SOIL

AND THE POPPIES STILL GROW IN BROKEN SOIL

BECAUSE OUR PROMISES
MADE TO THESE OUR DEAD
OUR HONORED DEAD
HAVE NOT BEEN KEPT
WE SAID THE WORLD WOULD BE BETTER
BECAUSE OF THEIR DEATH
THEIR SACRIFICE

BUT UNLIKE CHRIST
THEIR DEATH DID NOT BRING RESURRECTION

SO TO THESE DEAD
THESE HONORED DEAD
WE RECOMMIT OURSELVES
THAT THE WORLD AND COUNTRY
THEY DIED FOR
WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE
THAT PEACE AND LOVE
WOULD HAVE NO NATIONAL BOUNDARIES
THAT FOOD AND HAPPINESS
WOULD NOT BE FOR THE FEW
BUT THE MANY
THAT THE DREAMS THEY DIED FOR
WOULD COME TRUE
THAT MEN WOULD TURN SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES
AND SPEARS INTO PRUNING HOOKS
THAT THE LAMB AND THE LION WOULD LIE DOWN TOGETHER
THAT THERE WOULD BE A NEW RESURRECTION
THAT HEARTS WOULD BE BROKEN OPEN BY LOVE
AND GROWING IN THAT BROKEN-NESS
POPPIES WOULD LITTER THE LANDSCAPE

SLEEP WELL HONORED DEAD
WE WILL REMEMBER OUR PROMISES

FRANK A VOLLMER

The Physician

THE PHYSICIAN

MARK 5



GIVE HER SOMETHING TO EAT HE TOLD THEM

GIVE HER SOMETHING TO EAT



I WONDER IF HE CHUCKLED WHEN HE SAID IT

I WONDER IF HE DID NOT REMEMBER MARY TELLING JOSEPH

HE'LL EAT US OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME THAT ONE

REFERRING TO HIM

TALL AND PIMPLY

WITH PEACH FUZZ ON HIS CHIN STARTING TO DARKEN

AND A VOICE THAT COULD NOT FIND ITS RANGE

I WONDER IF HE CHUCKLED REMEMBERING JOSEPH'S LAMENT

BUT WE JUST BOUGHT HIM THOSE CLOTHES

AND HE'S OUTGROWN THEM ALREADY

I WONDER IF HE SMILED REMEMBERING MARY'S PRIDE

HE EATS THAT ONE

HE'S A GOOD BOY

HE EATS



RISE UP LITTLE GIRL

AND BE ONCE MORE A CHILD

BE GIDDY WHEN YOU WANT TO

OR OLDER THAN ALL TIME

BE SMARTER THAN A WISEMAN

WITH A LOLLIPOP IN HAND

OR GIGGLE IN A CHURCH PEW

FOR HE WHO KNEW THE JOYS OF YOUTH

HAS GIVEN THEM BACK TO YOU



f.a. vollmer

Wheelchair

WHEELCHAIR

TODAY THE WHEEL CAME OFF MY WHEELCHAIR
IMAGINE THAT
I HAD A FLAT
ON LIFE’S HIGHWAY

NOT REALLY
THE TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM
NOT A SIN
BUT AN INCONVENIENCE

WE HAD WANTED TOO SEE THE OCEAN
AND WE DID
I LEANING BACK
AND TO ONE SIDE FOR BALANCE
SO THAT THE RIM WAS OFF THE GROUND

WE LAUGHED
THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO
LEANING BACK AND TO THE SIDE
I MUST HAVE LOOKED
MORE CRIPPLED THAN I AM

PEOPLE OFFERED TO HELP
THE INATE GOODNESS OF MAN
THAT REFLECTS HIS CREATOR

I GOT OFF AND WALKED
WHICH BETTER BALANCED THE CHAIR
SAW THE OCEAN
WHICH ALWAYS SEEMS TO ME
TO BE CARRYING MESSAGES
FROM A DISTANT PLACE
MESSAGES WHICH RESONATE
WITH MESSAGES WRITTEN IN MY HEART

I SHALL REMEMBER
THE DAY THE WHEELCHAIR BROKE
AND THE GOODNESS OF PEOPLE

I SHALL REMEMBER OUR LAUGHTER
WHICH PERMEATES OUR LIVES
THE ICE CREAM WE HAD GOING HOME
THE MESSAGE
TASTE AND SEE
THE LORD IS GOOD



FRANK A VOLLMER