The Going On As Usual

THE GOING ON AS USUAL

IT WAS THE GOING ON AS USUAL
CHILDREN PLAYED AND MERCHANTS TRADED
LOVERS KISSED AND WALKED HAND IN HAND
PAST THE STABLE WHERE HE WAS BORN
IF THEY SAW JOSEPH THEY MIGHT HAVE CALLED SHALOM
GOOD LUCK WITH THE BOY
HE DID NOT DEEM IT LESS HIS PRIDE TO COME AS MAN
HE DID NOT COME TO MAKE US LESS THAN WHAT WE ARE
IF ANGELS COULD NOT KEEP THE SECRET OF HIS BIRTH
THEIR RANGE WAS SMALL
THE SHEPHERDS KNEW
BUT KINGS AND WISE MEN HAD TO FIND HIM
HE ENTERED INTO LIFE TO BE ONE OF US
THIRTY YEARS HE TASTED SALT AND SUGAR
AT THE END HE HUNGERED FOR THE EARTH
EYE SIGHT FADING
HEAD ROARING LIKE AN OCEAN BEATING
THOUGHTS LIKE A WHEAT FIELD IN A STORM
TILL AT HIS DEATH
THE GOING ON AS USUAL
THE WOMEN FINDING THE TOMB EMPTY
WHILE LOVERS KISSED AND WALKED HAND IN HAND
PAST THE PLACE WHERE THEY HAD LAID HIM




FRANK A VOLLMER