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

Come Lord Jesus

COME LORD JESUS

COME LORD JESUS

LIKE A YOUNG DEER LEAPING

DOWN HILLSIDE LEAPING

IN HASTE TO BE HERE

COME LORD JESUS

LIKE WILD GEESE FLYING

NECKS OUTSTRETCHED FLYING

IN HASTE TO BE HERE

COME LORD JESUS

LIKE A STRONG BELL RINGING

THE SOUND ALL FILLING

IN HASTE TO BE HERE

COME LORD JESUS

SET OUR HEARTS RINGING

TO THE STRONG BELL'S SINGING

OH HASTE TO BE HERE

COME LORD JESUS

TO YOUR CHILDREN CRYING

IN WILDERNESS SIGHING

OH HASTE TO BE HERE

COME LORD JESUS

TO THE GREAT LAMP LIGHTING

OF OUR SOULS ON SIGHTING

YOUR HASTE TO BE HERE

COME LORD JESUS

Frank a vollmer

Mother's Spit

MOTHER’S SPIT


I REMEMBER
BEING SPIT POLISHED
BEFORE CHURCH
WITH MOTHER’S SPIT


I ALSO REMEMBER
HAVING MY CLOTHING WET CLEANED
BEFORE BEING SENT OUT INTO THE WORLD

AND BRUISES AND CUTS
WERE STARTED ON THE WAY TO HEALING
WITH THE SAME

MOTHER’S SPIT
MIRACLE POTION
HEALING TEARS
WHILE RESTORING
A CRYING FACE
TO ITS ORIGINAL SHINE

SOMETIMES I LONG FOR MOTHER’S SPIT
TO PUT THE WORLD BACK TO WHERE IT WAS

I LOOK AT MY GRANDCHILDREN
AND ALL THE BACTERIA
KILLING PRODUCTS

AND KNOW THEY'LL NEVER REPLACE
A MOTHER’S
ANXIOUS
AND LOVING FACE
SAYING LOOK AT YOU NOW
PLAYING STICK BALL
IN YOUR SUNDAY CLOTHES
COME HERE WHILE I FIX YOU

AND LIKE JESUS
BENDING OVER
THE BLIND MAN
THE DEAF MAN
SHE'D RESTORE ME
TO PRISTINE GLORY
AND SEND ME ON MY WAY


FRANK A VOLLMER

Carousel

CAROUSEL

MERRY GO ROUND
MERRY GO ROUND
HELD BY MY PARENT
ON A MERRY GO ROUND
WHEN I WAS SMALL
AND THE WORLD WAS TALL
CHASED BY DRAGONS
OR PERSUING THEM
ON HORSES, LIONS OR FANTASIES
WHICH NEVER WERE
BUT REAL TO ME
ON THE MERRY GO ROUND
THE MERRY GO ROUND
HELD BY MY PARENTS
WHEN I WAS SMALL
THEN LATER I WAS TOO GROWNUP
EXCEPT TO ESCORT A GIRL
THEN LATER I WAS TOO GROWNUP
EXCEPT TO ESCORT A WIFE
UNTIL NOW WHEN I AM MUCH GROWNUP
I STILL FIND
THE MUSIC OF THE CAROUSEL
INVITING
EXCITING
I WILL NOT RIDE THE SEATS
PROVIDED FOR THE OLD
NO
I MUST MOUNT A HORSE
A LION
OR A FANTASY
IT MUST MOVE
AS IT MOVES ME
TO BE A CHILD AGAIN
IN A WORLD
THAT OFTEN
HAS GROWN
TOO TALL


f. a. vollmer

Beaver College

BEAVER COLLEGE

I REMEMBER I REMEMBER
THE COLLEGE THAT LOOKED LIKE A CASTLE
A CASTLE WHERE KNIGHTS WOULD DO THEIR MIGHTY DEEDS
A CASTLE A COLLEGE
ON THE WAY TO THE AMUSEMENT PARK

I REMEMBER I REMEMBER
IT WAS MY FATHER'S ONE DAY OFF
AND FOR A BARGAIN FARE ON A TROLLEY CAR
THE FAMILY WOULD GO TO THE PARK

I REMEMBER I REMEMBER
HOW WE WERE TOLD THERE WOULD BE NO RIDES
WE WOULD EAT THE LUNCH WE PACKED
AND LISTEN TO THE BAND MUSIC ON THE GRASS
WHERE SAT ALL OF US WHO COULDN'T AFFORD A TICKET

BUT I REMEMBER I REMEMBER
MY DAD WAS WITH US
ON HIS ONE DAY OFF
HOW TOWARD THE END OF THE DAY
WE'D RIDE THE MERRY GO ROUND
NOT KNOWING THEN
BUT KNOWING NOW THAT HE'D WALK TO WORK IN THE MORNING

YES I REMEMBER I REMEMBER
BUT I DO NOT REMEMBER BEING POOR
BUT RICH
GOING HOME
NESTLED AGAINST MY FATHER
ON THE TROLLEY
SLEEPING WITH MY FATHER'S ARM AROUND ME
AND FEELING LOVED AND WARM

Frank Vollmer

Emmaus

A CEREMONY FOR REMEMBERING

EMMAUS

THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT HIS EYES
LIKE A SOLDIER OFF TO WAR
SAYING GOODBYE TO LOVED ONES
OR A SAILOR FOR A LONG LONG TRIP

WE'D WALKED THAT ROAD MANY TIMES
MY FRIEND AND I
IT HAD BECOME A BIT OF A TASK
WITH NOTHING NEW
TO BE DONE WITH SWIFTLY
AND DONE WITH
WITH PLEASURE AT EITHER END
BUT NOTHING IN THE JOURNEY

UNTIL THE STRANGER CAME TO WALK WITH US
THIS STRANGER
WITH RELUCTANT EYES
HE'D SIGHT A TREE AND CALL IT OUT BY NAME
A FLOWER
BIRD
OR SOME CREEPING THING
THE WAY THE SUN TOOK A CLOUD
AND LIT IT UP WITHIN
OR CAST LONG SHADOWS
LIKE THE SHADOWS
THAT SAT UPON OUR HEARTS
THAT DAY

WHY ARE YOU SO SAD
HE ASKED
AFTER A WHILE

WE'D LET HIM TALK FIRST
OUT OF COURTESY
HE SEEMED TO NEED TO TALK
WHY ARE YOU SO SAD

AND SO TO THIS MAN
WHO SEEMED SO EAGER FOR LIVING THINGS
WE TOLD HIM OF A DEATH
OF OUR FRIEND JESUS
WHO HAD DIED
AND TO USE HIS IMAGERY
PLUCKED LIKE A FLOWER
THAT WAS THROWN AWAY
PICKED WITHOUT PURPOSE

OF A MAN
WHO WHEN HE SPOKE
BOTH TESTED US AND JOYED US

OF THIS JOURNEY
THAT WE TOOK
WHICH WAS DOUBLY LONG
FOR WE CARRIED SADNESS TO EMMAUS
THERE WOULD BE NO PLEASURE THERE

THE BODY WAS GONE
OH THE WOMEN HYSTERICAL
HAD SAID HE WAS RISEN
BUT THE BODY WAS GONE

WHY SHOULD HE DIE
WE BELIEVED HIM CHOSEN OF GOD
WHY SHOULD HE DIE

PERHAPS BECAUSE WE WERE TOO NUMB TO SPEAK
HE TOOK OVER THE CONVERSATION
WHEN DID YOU LEARN TO LOVE YOUR FATHER HE SAID

WHEN I BECAME THE AGE HE WAS
WHEN I DISLIKED HIM
IT SOMEHOW MADE HIM DIFFERENT THEN
AND UNDERSTANDABLE

SO JESUS CAME HE SAID
TO BE THAT PARENT
TO BE THE ONE WHO WENT BEFORE
TO BE THE ONE WHO LIVED AND DIED
AND TO BE TRULY RISEN
AS THE WOMEN SAID
TO BE THE PARENT
WHO HAD GONE BEFORE
SO YOU COULD LEARN
TO LOVE HIM AS YOU GREW
AND THROUGH HIM
THE FATHER TOO

PERHAPS IT WAS THE CADENCE OF HIS VOICE
OR THE WORDS OR THE MAN HIMSELF
BUT WE FELT CALM
WE INVITED HIM TO SUP WITH US
IN OUR GARDEN IN THE EVENING COOL
FOR THE DAY HAD RUN AWAY

AND WE KNEW HIM IN THE BREAKING BREAD
AND THE WINE
THAT TOOK THE JOURNEY'S DUST AWAY



FRANK A VOLLMER

Reality

REALITY

IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN THIS WAY
I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE LION TAMER
DRAGON SLAYER
WOOD GATHERER
GUARDIAN AT THE GATE
BUT LIFE HAS CAUGHT UP WITH DREAMS
REALITY WITH FANTASY
IT WASN'T SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN THIS WAY

BUT IT HAS

AND NOW SHE WATCHES OVER ME DAY AND NIGHT
I'M GUY ENOUGH TO ENJOY IT
WHILE FEELING GUILTY

DON QUIXOTE
WITH DENTED ARMOUR
AND BROKEN LANCE HAS RETIRED FROM THE FIELD

TO ENTER INTO A DIFFERENT FRAY
THAT OF GETTING WELL

THE ENEMY HERE IS HARDER THAN ANY I HAVE FOUGHT BEFORE

BUT I HAVE MOTIVE IN WIFE
CHILDREN
AND IN
GRANDPOP “YOU'RE SO FUNNY”

LIFE IS BEING REDUCED TO LOVING
AND BEING LOVED
AND LETTING PEOPLE PRACTICE ACTS OF KINDNESS
BY OPENING DOORS
AND REACHING THINGS
THAT ARE TOO FAR
A MOMENTARY
BROTHERHOOD
SISTERHOOD
THAT SAYS
IT’S STILL GODS WORLD

ARMOUR MAY BE RETIRED
LANCE MAY BE PUT TO REST
BUT I CAN LOOK IN THE MIRROR
AND SEE GOD’S FACE BEHIND ME

Gentle Rebuke

GENTLE REBUKE

SO QUICKLY HAD HE SPOKE
IMPULSIVE PETER
SO QUICKLY HAD HE SPOKE
THE WORDS WERE OUT
BEFORE HE HAD TIME TO THINK
BUT OUT OF HIS LOVE FOR HIS FRIEND
AND THE IMPACT
OF THE WORDS HE HAD SAID
I MUST GO TO JERUSALEM AND DIE

HE PUT HIS ARM AROUND JESUS
AND DREW HIM TO HIMSELF
SHELTERING
AND SAID
IT MUST NOT BE

AND JESUS HEARTBROKEN
BECAUSE PETER
STILL
WAS UNAWARE OF HIS MISSION
SAID SOFTLY
GET BEHIND ME SATAN

GET BEHIND ME SATAN
ADVICE GIVEN A CHILD BY A PARENT
DON'T STUDY FOR THE MINISTRY
THERE’S NO FUTURE
LONG HOURS
AND LOW WAGES
SHELTERING THE CHILD

OR THOSE
WATCHING BOX CARS
RATTLING ACROSS EUROPE
FILLED WITH HUMANITY
AND SAYING NOTHING

OR PREACHERS
PREACHING BROTHERHOOD
IN A SEGREGATED CHURCH
WHILE DISMAS
WAS UNDER THE TABLE
BEGGING CRUMBS

OR WORKMEN
AFTER YEARS OF SERVICE
FINDING NO PENSION
WHILE CEOS MAKE MILLIONS
WHERE IS THE CRY FOR JUSTICE
MUTED BY THOSE WHO HAVE

AND JESUS SAYS
GET BEHIND ME SATAN
UNLESS A MAN
IS WILLING TO TAKE A STAND
AND SUFFER WITH ME
HE IS NOT WORTHY OF ME

JESUS SAYS
GIVE ME PEOPLE
LIKE MOTHER TERESA
MAHATMA GANDHI
DIETRICH BONHOEFFER
DOROTHY DAY
DANIEL BERRIGAN
JOHN XXIII

TAKE YOUR ARM FROM AROUND ME
I AM NOT A TOY
OR PRETTY FEELING
TO BE SHELTERED FROM THE STORM

I KNOW YOU LOVE ME
BUT YOUR ARM AROUND ME HINDERS ME
I NEED TO STRETCH
MY ARMS OUT
FOR THE CROSS
I AM YOUR FRIEND
WHO DOES NOT SHIRK
FROM EMPTYING HIMSELF
AND DYING ON A CROSS


FRANK A VOLLMER

Dandelions

DANDELIONS

DANDELIONS ARE A NAUGHTY BREED
THEY DON'T QUITE KNOW THEIR PLACE
THEY GROW IN EVERYBODY'S YARD
A NATIONAL DISGRACE
BUT I LIKE THEM
I LIKE THEY WAY THEY CLAIM A FIELD
RUNNING RIOT IN THE SUN
LIKE SOME MOD PAINTER GOING WILD
SWIRLS AND DASHES DOTS AND SPLASHES
FRAGMENTS OF THE SUN
SPRINKLED IN THE GRASS
YELLOW SEQUINS IN HER HAIR
WHERE WOULD CHILDREN BE WITHOUT THEM
FOR TULIPS ARE A NONO
AND SO ARE NEIGHBORS ROSES
BUT DANDELIONS ARE FREE
FREE TO PICK FOR MOTHER'S SMILE
WHO CAN PRICE THAT MOMNENT
WHO CAN GIVE IT WORTH
WHEN A CHILD TINY FIST TIGHTLY CLENCHED
THE DANDELIONS DROPPINGIN A CIRCLE
SAYS, "FOR YOU I PICKED THEM
I PICKED THEM FOR YOU"
HOW MANY YOUNG ONES
WALKING THE FIELDS
HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE
PICKING THE FLOWERS
HOW MANY OLD ONES
OUT FOR A STROLL
HAVE REKINLED FLAME
DOING THE SAME
HOW MANY GRANDPARENTS
GRANDCHILD IN TOW
HAVE MADE THE AIR MAGIC
WITH DANDELION SEEDS
HAVE TAUGHT THEIR GRANDCHILDREN
THE OLD-NEW SECRET
OF HOW TO KEEP DANDELIONS
AROUND TO MAKE PRETTY
THE FIELDS AND THE MEADOWS
WITH FRAGMENTS OF SUN
O GOD GIVE ME FRIENDS
WHO ARE DANDELION LOVERS
GOOD FRIENDS WHO ARE ROWDY
AND EASY TO LAUGH
AND PRETTY GIRLS WHO SAY THEY LOVE ME
ESPECIALLY THEM THAT LIKE TO WEAR
DANDELION FLOWERS
IN THEIR HAIR




FRANK A VOLLMER

Bring Out Your Dead

A CEREMONY FOR REMEMBERING

BRING OUT YOUR DEAD

BRING OUT YOUR DEAD THE WATCHMAN CRIED
IN THE CITY WHERE HE WAS RIDING
ON A CART PILED HIGH WITH LAST YEARS DREAMS
AND LONG REMEMBERED ANGERS
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
THIS CITY THAT WAS ONCE SO FAIR
WHOSE WALLS WERE WHITE AND RIVERS CLEAR
WHERE MEN WALKED OUT ALONE AND UNAFRAID
HAS BECOME A STINKHOUSE OF REMEMBERED PAIN
AND PENT UP SORROW
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
LET WINDOWS ONCE MORE OPEN TO THE BREEZE
AND PIPERS PLAY NO MORE THE FUNERAL MARCH BUT GAY
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD
THAT MEN MAY SAY ON PASSING BY
A FAIR CITY THERE PLEASING TO THE EYE
AND HEAR
THE LAUGHTER RINGING IN THE AIR
BRING OUT YOUR DEAD



FRANK A VOLLMER

Basket Tree

BASKET TREE

BY THEIR FRUIT YOU SHALL KNOW THEM
THEN WHAT DOES THIS TREE PORTEND
COVERED WITH BASKETS
PUT OUT TO DRY
WHAT ODD FRUIT
EACH ONE HAND MADE
EACH ONE DIFFERENT
EACH ONE WITH A TOUCH OF IMPERFECTION
YET EACH ONE BEAUTIFUL IN ITS OWN WAY
FROM PRIMITIVE TO ARTIST'S WORK
LIKE PEOPLE
SO WHAT SHALL WE PUT IN THEM
BUT ALL OUR DREAMS
AND ALL OUR STRIVING TO BECOME
THE QUALITY THE ANGEL WHISPERED IN OUR EAR AT BIRTH
BE JOYOUS HAPPY LOVING TRUTHFUL AND KIND
EVEN AT BIRTH WE KNEW THAT GOD WISHED US WELL
WHERE SHALL WE FIND A BASKET
BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD GOD'S LOVE
WE NEED A BIGGER TREE



FRANK A VOLLMER

Golden Girl

GOLDEN GIRL


GIRL OF MY GOLDEN YEARS
THANK YOU
THANK YOU FOR GENTLING ME
FOR STAYING BY ME WHEN I WAS LOST
WHEN SOMEONE CHANGED
THE CITY’S NAMES AND STREETS
AND NIGHTMARES WERE COMMON
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HUMOROUS THINGS YOU DO
WHICH MAKES LIFE WITH YOU QUITE AN ADVENTURE
AND YOUR NAIVETY AT TIMES
LIKE WHEN YOU ASK PEOPLE WHO ARE REDOING THEIR HOUSE
HAVE YOU DONE ANYTHING NEW IN YOUR BEDROOM LATELY
THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME AS I TRY TO FIND THE QUICKEST SHORTCUT FROM A TO B
AND USUALLY GETTING LOST
A SKILL YOU USED WELL IN PULLING ME OUT OF DARKNESS
THANK YOU GOLDEN GIRL
YOU ARE THE EMBODIMENT OF PAUL’S DISCOURSE ON LOVE
FOR YOUR GENTLENESS I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL


FRANK A VOLLMER