Bah Humbug

BAH HUMBUG


I MUST BE HAVING AN OLD TESTAMENT MOMENT
I WAS GOING TO SAY
I DON’T WANT YOUR FESTIVE CHOIRS
OR TRIUMPHANT BRASS
OR ANY OTHER SIGNS OF CELEBRATION

I CAME TO BRING PEACE
THERE IS NO PEACE
TO BRING LOVE
IT’S IN SHORT SUPPLY
TO BRING JUSTICE
IT’S FOR SALE
TO REMOVE POVERTY
WE CAN’T AFFORD IT

EVEN MY CRIB
IN A MANGER
IS BETTER THAN MANY

MY MOTHER’S BREAST FLOWS
OTHER MOTHER’S BREAST ARE DRY

HEROD’S MEN ARE BUSY SLAYING BABIES

WOULD THAT THE WORLD
WOULD THROW UP
IN AN ACT OF REVULSION
ALL THE EVIL AND BILE
ALL THE DEEP ENTRENCHED HATRED
ALL THE ME FIRST ATTITUDE
ALL THAT CHAINS THEM
TO OLD HABITS

DO THEY NEED A SILENT NIGHT
OR ACTIVITY
TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE WORKING

THAT THEY REMAIN CONSCIOUS
OF THE WAY THAT THINGS ARE
THE WAY THAT THEY SHOULD BE

MOST OLD TESTAMENT HARANGUES
END HAPPILY
WITH A PROMISE OF A NEW JERUSALEM

SO I’M ENOUGH OF A BIRTHDAY BOY
TO HOPE THAT THE CHOIR
AND THE BRASS
SOUND WELL

FRANK A VOLLMER

Not a Stump

A BRANCH SHALL COME
FROM THE TRUNK OF JESSE’S FAMILY TREE

IT WILL BE CALLED
WISE
UNDERSTANDING
CONSOLING
MIGHTY
PRINCE OF PEACE

A BETTER IMAGE THAN STUMP
OF FORESTS DENUDED
AS THE ASSYRIANS DID
TO THE LAND AROUND JERUSALEM

BUT THE PROMISES OF GOD
WEREN’T IN THE FORESTS OR THE CITY

THE SON OF DAVID WOULD COME

THE LINEAGE OF DAVID
WOULD PROGRESS
FATHER TO SON
UNTIL FULFILLED IN CHRIST

NOT A STUMP
BUT A TREE WOULD SURVIVE

NOT A WASTELAND
BUT A LAND RESEEDED
BY THE MOTHER TREE

NOT A WASTELAND
BUT A TREE
WHERE THOSE WHO WERE SCATTERED
LIKE FRIGHTENED BIRDS
COULD COME BACK
AND FIND REFUGE

THE PROMISE
THE LINEAGE
WOULD COME TRUE

THE TREE OF GOOD AND EVIL
ONCE MORE BEARS FRUIT

AND WE ARE ASKED TO PARTAKE

THIS IS MY BODY
MY BLOOD

COME AND BE PART OF ME

FRANK A VOLLMER

The Widow

YOU SON OF A BITCH
WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME
YOU SON OF A BITCH


SHE THOUGHT THE WORDS
SHE didn't SAY THEM

IT STARTLED HER
SHE KNEW THE WORDS
BUT DIDN’T USE THEM

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM
WHAT WELL OF LONELINESS
WHERE GHOSTS DWELL
AND UNICORNS RUN FREE

WHAT BROUGHT IT ON
DID SHE ROLL OVER
FIND THE BED EMPTY

DID SHE SOMEHOW MISS
THE TOILET SEAT UP
OR UNDERWEAR ON THE FLOOR

DID SHE MISS HIS TALKING TO THE TV
WHEN THE NEWS WAS ON
OR THE QUARTERBACK
THREW AN INTERCEPTION

WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME
WHY
SHE CRIES INTO A SOGGY PILLOW

THE SHADOWS SURROUND HER

THEY SAY NOTHING IN REPLY

BUT SOME OF YOU IS MISSING

YOU’RE ALLOWED TO CRY

FRANK A VOLLMER

The Widow Speaks

THE WORD WIDOW IN HEBREW MEANS SILENT ONE
SHE HAD NO VOICE IN A MALE DOMINATED SOCIETY
WITHOUT A SON HER PLIGHT WAS MISERABLE
SHE HAD NO DIGNITY
OR WORTH
SHE WAS NOTHING

SO WHEN SHE HAD A CASE BEFORE THE COURT
THE JUDGE
ADMITTEDLY CORRUPT
BY HIS OWN ADMISSION
WOULD NOT HEAR HER

SHE HAD NO MONEY FOR A BRIBE
NO PRESTIGE TO APPLY PRESSURE
THE JUDGE IGNORED HER
BUT SHE WOULD NOT BE A VICTIM
SHE THREATENED HIM WITH BODILY HARM
WITH A BLACK EYE REALLY

BECAUSE SHE WAS NOISY
AND WOULD NOT BE SILENT
THE THREAT OF HARM
HE JUDGED THE CASE IN HER FAVOR

JESUS SAID WHEN YOU PRAY
BE LIKE THE WIDOW
BE PERSISTENT

I'VE ALWAYS HAD TWO MINDS ABOUT PRAYER
.
ON ONE HAND
WHEN I SAY
YOUR WILL BE DONE
TO MEAN IT

ON THE OTHER
WHEN I SEE A VICTIM
LIKE THE WIDOW
TO RESIST IT

I DON'T FEEL AS CHRISTIANS
WE SHOULD BE MILQUETOAST
IN FRONT OF EVIL

THE WIDOW WAS NOT SILENT
SHE SPOKE UP
SO SHOULD WE
WHEN THE WIDOW HAS NO VOICE


FRANK A VOLLMER

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 STINK HOUSE 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

Nuda Genu

WHEN I WAS A YOUNG SCHOLAR
STRUGGLING WITH AENEID
THERE CAME A PHRASE
NUDA GENU
BARE OF KNEE
WHAT RHAPSODIES TO A YOUNG MIND
A BARE KNEE ON SOME COMELY MAIDEN

NOW THE KNEE THAT I ADMIRE
IS OLD AND BROKEN
IT NEEDS REPAIR

TWO KNEES
A LIFE APART
ONE
THE FANTASY OF YOUTH
ROOTLESS
THE OTHER
THE DREAM OF AGE
ROOTED IN LOVE
AND STRUGGLE

TWO KNEES
TO ONLY ONE I GENUFLECT
I SEE ONLY
COMELY MAIDEN
NO MATTER
HOW OLD

FRANK A VOLLMER

Snapshot #1

BLACK WATER SWIRLS AROUND THE PIER

THE SUN HAS GONE FOR THE DAY

GULLS FLY SEEKING REFUGE

BUSY LIGHTS DOT THE HARBOR

A TIRED FISHING BOAT

COMES CHUGGING IN

BLACK WATER SWIRLS AROUND THE PIER


FRANK A VOLLMER

I Don't Believe In God

I DON’T BELIEVE IN GOD
I AGREE WITH THE ATHEISTS

I DON’T BELIEVE IN THE GOD
THEY DON’T BELIEVE IN
EITHER

THE WHITE
BEARDED
MONARCH
WHO WILLY NILLY
INFLICTS PAIN

WHO IS DISINTERESTED
IN THE WORLD HE CREATED
I DON’T BELIEVE
IN THIS GOD

I BELIEVE IN A GOD
OF HOPE AND PROMISE

A GOD WHO SAYS

I'll create Jerusalem as sheer joy, Create my people as pure delight.I'll take joy in Jerusalem, Take delight in my people:
No more sounds of weeping in the city, No cries of anguish;No more babies dying in the cradle, Or old people who don't enjoy a full lifetime;

One-hundredth birthdays will be considered normal— Anything less will seem like a cheat.





They'll build houses And move in.
They'll plant fields And eat what they grow.
No more building a house That some outsider takes over,
No more planting fields That some enemy confiscates,
For my people will be as long-lived as trees, My chosen ones will have satisfaction in their work.
They won't work and have nothing come of it, They won't have children snatched out from under them.

GOD HAS PROMISED
I BELIEVE IT
IT WILL BE SO

I BELIEVE
THE ACCEPTANCE OF STATUS QUO
IS AN IRRELIGIOUS ACT

A BETRAYAL
OF HIM
WHO GAVE US THE WORLD
TO CARE FOR

IS THE WORLD BETTER
FOR DIFFERENT CREEDS
WHERE IS THE PROOF IN THE PUDDING

SAVE ME FROM RELIGIOUS PEOPLE
WHO SING
PRAISE GOD
ALL THE DAY
AND DO NOTHING



IT’S A WONDER
THE ATHEIST’S FIRE
DOESN’T FLARE HIGHER
WE FEED IT SO MUCH FUEL

Before they call out, I'll answer. Before they've finished speaking, I'll have heard.
Wolf and lamb will graze the same meadow, Lion and ox eat straw from the same trough, But snakes—they'll get a diet of dirt!
Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill Anywhere on my Holy Mountain," says God.

IN THIS ADVENT SEASON
COME AGAIN
LORD JESUS
COME AGAIN

LET THE MIRACLE
OF YOUR INCARNATION
INFUSE SOCIETY
AND LET THEIR BE
NO MORE KILLING
ON YOUR HOLY MOUNTAIN

FRANK A VOLLMER

I'm Learning Humility From My Cat

I’M LEARNING HUMILITY FROM MY CAT
I’M NOT AN APT STUDENT
I STILL THINK
THE SUN RISES AND SETS FOR ME
AND THAT GOD IS A MEMBER OF MY STAFF

BUT I’M LEARNING HUMILITY FROM MY CAT
I SHOULD SAY OUR CAT
BETTER YET
HER CAT

I’M INVISIBLE
SOMETHING TO WALK AROUND
UNLESS HE WANTS TO BE BRUSHED
THEN HE MOUNTS THE OTTOMAN
IMPERIOUSLY STARES AT ME
UNTIL I GIVE IN
WHEN HE’S HAD ENOUGH
HE JUST WALKS AWAY
NOT EVEN A LICK
I FEEL SO CHEAP AND USED
HE NEVER SENDS ME FLOWERS
IF HE DID
IT WOULD PROBABLY BE POISON IVY

I’D NEVER SAY
IT’S THE CAT OR ME
MY BAGS WOULD BE PACKED
AND AT THE DOOR

IN THE PECKING ORDER
IN OUR HOUSE
I’M ON THE NEXT PAGE

AH WELL
ALAS ALAS AND LACKADAY
I’M LEARNING HUMILITY
FROM MY CAT

Where is Messiah?

IN POLAND
IN WARSAW
IN THE JEWISH CEMETERY
IN ONE OF THE TOMBS
A WOMAN GAVE BIRTH

HER ONLY ATTENDANT
THE CARETAKER
WHO WAS HIDING TOO

HE SAID

PERHAPS THIS ONE IS THE MESSIAH
BORN SO LOWLY
DESPISED
AND SPIT UPON

PERHAPS HE IS THE MESSIAH

THE CHRISTIAN MESSIAH
HAS BROUGHT US NO PEACE

BUT HE WATCHED HIS DREAM FADE
AS THE CHILD
SUCKED ON HIS MOTHER’S TEARS

HER BREASTS WERE DRY

THE CHILD
SUCKED ON HIS MOTHER’S TEARS
AND DIED

EVENTUALLY
THEY WERE FOUND
AND WENT UP IN SMOKE

THE NEARBY VILLAGERS
SMELLED THE SMOKE
AND KNEW WHAT IT WAS

THEIR HOMES STANK OF IT

THEY CALLED IT
JEWISH PERFUME

IN A WORLD
STILL PLAGUED
BY WAR
HUNGER
AND HATRED

CAN WE NOT SAY

WHERE IS MESSIAH


FRANK A VOLLMER

Apocalypse

JOHN’S APOCALYPSE
IS NOT SOME FUTURE THING
HOOF BEATS IN THE DISTANCE

HE WROTE IT FOR NOW
HIS NOW
AND ALL THE NOWS
TILL NOW

WHEN IF EVER
HAVE THE FOUR HORSEMEN
BEEN CORRALLED

HAVE WE ANY LACK OF LEADERS
MARCHING TO VICTORY
ON THE BROKEN BODIES
OF THE DIFFERENT SIDES
ON A SPIRITED WHITE HORSE

SAYING TO THE WOUNDED
AND THOSE LEFT ORPHAN
AND WIDOWED
WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOUR SACRIFICE

AND THEN HIDING THEM
AS SOMETHING EMBARRASSING

HE DID NOT MIND THE CARNAGE
OR DESTRUCTION

HE LEFT THAT
FOR THE RED HORSE
AND ITS RIDER

WHO RODE THROUGH A FOREST
OF BROKEN TREES
DECORATED WITH ENTRAILS

ON LAWN
COLORED RED WITH BLOOD

PAST PILES OF BONES

PAST BLIND PEOPLE
VICTIMS OF AN EYE FOR AN EYE

MOTHERS KILLED SON
AND FATHERS DAUGHTERS
THE OLD NEGLECTED
AND THE INFIRM LEFT

NO ONE WAILED
BECAUSE NO ONE CARED

THOSE WHO WERE LEFT
THE HAVES
AND THE HAVE-NOTS

WHERE SOON BESIEGED
BY THE WHITE HORSE
AND ITS RIDER

AND A VOICE CRYING


A QUART OF WHEAT
FOR A DAY'S WAGES
AND THREE QUARTS OF BARLEY
FOR A DAY'S WAGES
AND DO NOT DAMAGE
THE OIL AND THE WINE

THOSE WHO EAT WELL
WILL STILL
EAT WELL

THOSE WHO DO NOT
WILL BARELY SURVIVE

DIVES WILL DINE IN STYLE
BUT LAZARUS
WILL DINE WITH THE DOGS

THEN COMES PESTILENCE
ON A PALE GREEN HORSE

CRYING BRING OUT YOUR DEAD

WELL IN THE MORNING
STIFF AT NIGHT

ANIMALS RAID GRAVEYARDS
FOR THE MEAT

VULTURES CANNOT FLY
BECAUSE OF GLUTTONY

GOD WEEPS IN HEAVEN
FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO HIS CREATION

THIS IS NOT MY WILL

HOBBLE THE HORSES

THE POETIC VISION OF JOHN
IS IF MEN DO NOT CHANGE

I WILL IT SO
MY WILL BE DONE

DO WE SAY IT MECHANICALLY
OR DO WE MEAN IT

WE ARGUE ABOUT ANGELS ON A PIN
AND DO NOT HEAR THE CRY FOR CHANGE

ARE WE HYPOCRITE IN OUR PRAYERS

THE THUNDER OF HORSES
IS ALL AROUND US
IT IS OUR TASK
TO CORRAL THEM

FRANK A VOLLMER

Late Autumn

THE MOON WAS PAINTING SILVER CLOUDS

WHICH DANCED ALONG ON SILVER AIR

A MEADOW LARK FLEW THROUGH THE SKY

CHANTING A MELODY SWEET AND FAIR



THE WIND BLEW FITFULLY THROUGH THE TREES

AND LITTLE LEAVES WERE PUT TO SLEEP

THE ROSE IN FINAL SIGHS

GAVE TO MY HEART ITS SOUL TO KEEP


FRANK A VOLLMER

Corners of the Earth

IN BIBLICAL TIMES
THE EARTH WAS VIEWED
AS SQUARE
AND FLAT

THE WINDS THAT BLEW
FROM THE FLAT SIDES
WERE GOOD
THOSE FROM THE CORNERS
LIKE NORTHEASTERS
WERE BAD

SO THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE WORLD
WERE AS FAR AS A MAN COULD RUN
AVOIDING GOD
LIKE JONAH

THE PSALMIST SINGS

IS THERE ANYPLACE I CAN GO
TO AVOID YOUR SPIRIT? TO BE OUT OF YOUR SIGHT

JOHN WOULD HAVE FOUR ANGELS
AT THE CORNERS OF THE EARTH

HOLDING BACK
THE WINDS OF DESTRUCTION
TILL ALL WHO WOULD BE SAVED
WERE SAVED

AND I THOUGHT
THIS GOD WHO HOVERS OVER ME
LIKE A CLOUD

WHO CARES FOR ME
LIKE A MOTHER

IS THERE ANY LIMIT
TO HIS LOVE FOR ME

THAT GOES TO THE CORNERS
OF THE EARTH
AND BEYOND

WHO DID NOT MAKE ME
TO ABANDON ME

BUT RATHER HOLDS ME
IN THE PALM
OF HIS HAND

Wild Geese Flying

HE HEARD THEM FIRST

BARKING IN THE NIGHT

LIKE WILD DOGS

UNTIL CURIOSITY DROVE AWAY THE SLEEP

PUT ONE FOOT FORTH TO TEST THE AIR

WRAPPED HIS BLANKETS

AND PUSHED HIM FROM THE TENT

TO STAND AND WATCH THE CALLING GEESE

FLY ACROSS THE MOON

PERHAPS IT WAS THE WAY HE STOOD

BLANKET ROBED

ARMS ENTWINED AGAINST THE COLD

THAT MADE HIM THINK

BRAVE INDIAN CHIEF AM I
CHIEF HAPPY LAUGHTER
OR RAIN COME SINGING DOWN
THAT MADE HIM WISH
FOR TIMES LESS TROUBLED
THAN HIS OWN
AND KNEW THE WISH WAS FOOLISH
EVEN CHIEF RUNNING WATER
KNEW TIMES OF DROUGHT
HOW FOOLISH TO KEEP WASTING LIFE IN WISHES
TO WISH FOR PEACEFUL TIMES THAT NEVER WERE
FOR EACH MAN'S LIFE IS TO THE BRIM WITH SORROW

EACH AGE HAS ITS OWN PECULIAR TALE OF WOE

FAR BETTER TO ACCEPT THE WORLD WE LIVE IN

TO RECOGNIZE ITS ILLS,

TO SEEK IT’S CURE
THAN TO SPEND THE TIME BEWAILING SUMMER DREAMS
GOOD GOD HE THOUGHT

DO WE THINK THAT CHRIST HUNG OUT IN RAIN

AND THUNDER

FOR EVERY AGE BUT OURS

HE FELT THE COLD

COME CREEPING UP HIS STOCKING

BUT HE KNEW

AS LONG AS GEESE CAME BARKING BY

HE WOULD STAY

EVEN UNTIL THE DAWN


FRANK A VOLLMER

Barnyard Cat

THE LEGEND GOES
THAT ON CHRISTMAS DAY
THE BABY LAY SHIVERING
AND FUSSING

THE STABLE WAS COLD
IT HAD NO HEAT

THE PARENTS HAD DONE WHAT THEY COULD

YOU CAN ONLY CARRY SO MUCH
ON FOOT
FROM NAZARETH TO BETHLEHEM

WHEN AN ALLEY CAT
AN ORDINARY TABBY
A MOUSER
A STABLE DWELLER

JUMPED IN THE FEED BOX

STARTLED THE PARENTS
MADE TO SHOO IT
BUT STOPPED
THE BABY WAS SLEEPING
THE CAT WAS PURRING
AND LENDING BODY WARMTH

IT STAYED WITH THE BABY
AS LONG AS THEY STAYED IN THE STABLE

WHEN THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE
MARY PETTED THE CAT

THANKED IT FOR ITS SERVICE
AND LEFT THE LETTER M
ON ITS FACE

TWO VERTICAL LINES
UNDER ITS EYES
AND A V
OVER ITS NOSE

MANY CATS TODAY
CARRY THE MARK

A REMINDER
THOSE CHILDREN
ARE STILL COLD

THAT IF AN ANIMAL COULD HELP
AN ORDINARY BARNYARD TABBY
WHY NOT HUMANS

FRANK A VOLLMER

Support Groups

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE DAMIAN
WHEN HE ANNOUNCED HIS SICKNESS
BY SAYING
WE LEPERS

THERE IS A BOND THAT GOES OUT
TO ALL ASSEMBLED

THAT SAYS
THIS IS SOMEONE FAMILIAR
WITH WHISTLING
PAST GRAVEYARDS

WE ARE MANY
YOUNG
OLD
MARRIED
SINGLE
CHRISTIAN
JEW
WHATEVER
WE ARE DIFFERENT
WE HAVE FACED THE BEAST

BUT WE ARE ONE

AND IN THIS ONENESS
I OFTEN HEAR
OR FEEL
THOUGH MANY
DO NOT KNOW HIS NAME
THE PRESENCE OF HIM WHO SAYS
WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED

HE IGNORES THE NAME RECOGNITION
AND STAND SILENT
READY TO HELP

BY NOT MAKING THE LAME MAN WALK
BUT TO FIND INNER PEACE
IN HIS LAMENESS



EXPRESSED
IN THIS HERD INSTINCT
TO HEAR ANOTHER’S PAIN
AND SHARE YOUR OWN

AND THE SPIRIT
BROODS OVER THE CHAOS
OF OUR LIVES
AND MAKES A NEW CREATION

THE TALK GOES ON
OF TREATMENTS
AND PAIN
LIFE CHANGES
CHEMO BRAIN
PHYSICAL CHANGES

BUT ALWAYS AND EVERYWHERE
I HEAR
THE SIBILANT
SOUND OF WINGS

FRANK A VOLLMER

St. Andrew

THEY SAY ST ANDREW WAS CRUCIFIED
ON A CROSS SHAPED LIKE AN X
LIKE A TIMES SYMBOL
LIKE AN X

HE WAS GIVEN A GREEK NAME
NOT A JEWISH ONE
A SIGN HIS PARENTS WERE OPEN MINDED
NOT BOUND BY RULES
WHICH HAD NO MEANING

HIS WAS A QUESTING MIND
FIRST TO JOIN JOHN THE BAPTIST
THEN ON TO JESUS

FROM TEACHER
TO HIGHER TEACHER

AND THEN CAME THE ACT
FOR WHICH HE WILL ALWAYS BE KNOWN
HE BROUGHT PETER TO JESUS
HE WAS THE FIRST APOSTLE
HE BROUGHT PETER TO JESUS

LATER
HE WOULD BRING THE LITTLE BOY
WHO HAD LOAVES AND FISHES TO JESUS

LATER STILL
HE WOULD BRING MEN TO JESUS

LATER STILL
HE WOULD DIE FOR JESUS

A TRUE WITNESS
TO THE MEANING OF HIS NAME
MANHOOD
VALOR

ANDREW
WHO LEFT ALL TO FOLLOW JESUS
TO BECOME A FISHER OF MEN
MAY WE USE YOU AS A GUIDE
TO BRING OTHERS TO JESUS

COME AND SEE
I HAVE FOUND THE LORD


FRANK A VOLLMER

Old Woman

In the Eastern Church, the death of Mary, Jesus' mothers is traditionally celebrated on august 15. The feast is called the dormition or falling asleep of Mary.

OLD WOMAN

HOW WARM THE SUN SHE THOUGHT
NODDING NAPPING IN HER CHAIR
KNITTING UNATTENDED IN HER LAP
HOW WARM THE SUN

THE CHILDREN ALL HAD GONE
LAUGHING AND LEAPING
THE COOKIES ALL EATEN

BYE BYE AUNTIE
THEY ALL CALLED HER AUNTIE
AWAY THEY WENT LEAPING

EXCEPT ONE LITTLE URCHIN
WITH KNEE OUT IN TROUSER
AND NOSE ON SLEEVE WIPING
HAD LINGERED BEHIND
SHYLY
FOOT DRAGGING
HEAD DOWN
FACE BLUSHING
HE SLOWLY APPROACHED HER
AWKWARDLY KISSED HER
BELLOWED I LOVE YOU
SCURRIED AWAY

HEART ACHING SHE REACHED OUT
HER ARMS GRASPING NOTHING
SO QUICKLY HE RAN

OH JOSEPH OH JESUS HOW MUCH DO I MISS YOU
HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN GONE

THE OLD WOMAN SAT NODDING
HER HEART WOUNDS REOPENED
SAT NODDING
AND NAPPING
AND YEARNING FOR HOME
SAT NODDING THEN SLEEPING
THEN GOD CALLED HER HOME

FRANK A VOLLMER

On Closing a Ghetto Church

FATHER FORGIVE US FOR BEING POOR
FOR BEING GHETTO TRAPPED
BY BIRTH OR RACE OR AGE
OR FEAR OF COMPETITION
FOR WHICH WE ARE ILL PREPARED

FORGIVE US FOR OUR ANGER
FOR LASHING OUT
AT INNUMERABLE GNATS OF IRRITATION
THE ACID OF OUR DAILY LIVES

FORGIVE US FOR BELIEVING YOUR WORDS
THAT THE POOR
WOULD HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM

FORGIVE US FOR NOT MAKING MONEY
LIKE OTHER MISSIONS IN AFRICA
INDIA LATIN AMERICA
DO

FOR PENANCE
TAKE OUR CHURCH
AND WITH THE GAIN
ERECT A MONUMENT TO PRIDE
IN A MORE PROFITABLE PLACE

FATHER FORGIVE US FOR BEING POOR

Frank a. Vollmer

A Story

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY
LET ME SPIN A RHAPSODY
OF DISPARATE ELEMENTS
SOME TRUE
SOME FABLE
A STORY

TO ONE MAN
WHO WANTED TO FOLLOW HIM
HE SAID
I HAVE NO WHERE TO EVEN LAY MY HEAD

TO ANOTHER
WHO WANTED TO BURY HIS FATHER
HE SAID
LET THE DEAD
BURY THE DEAD

TO ANOTHER
WHO WANTED TO SAY GOODBYE TO HIS FATHER
HE SAID
ONE WHO FOLLOWS ME
NEVER LOOKS BACK

HARSH WORDS
I WONDER WHY

LET ME NOW SPIN A TALE

WHEN JOSEPH DIED
JESUS COULD NOT COME TO THE FUNERAL
BECAUSE HE WAS JUDGED
BY HIS FAMILY
TO BE A MEMZER
A BASTARD
AND BASTARDS
WERE NOT ALLOWED
TO ATTEND
FUNERALS

HE WAS CALLED MARY’S SON
NOT JOSEPH’S


IN HIS SACRIFICE FOR US
HE STRIPED HIMSELF POOR
LOWLY BIRTH
QUESTIONABLE PARENTAGE
SHUNNED BY HIS LARGER FAMILY
TOLERATED
BECAUSE
MARY WAS HIS MOTHER

HE COULDN'T IDENTIFY
WITH PEOPLE
AND FAMILY TIES
HE'D GIVEN UP HIS OWN

HE’D EVEN TRIED TO PUT DISTANCE
BETWEEN HIM AND HIS MOTHER
AND BROTHERS
SAYING
WHOEVER FOLLOWS ME IS MOTHER
AND BROTHER

BUT HIS MOTHER WOULDN'T GO AWAY
AND WAS FAITHFUL
TO THE END
WHEN HE TRIED ONCE AGAIN
UNSUCCESSFULLY
TO GIVE HER AWAY

MOTHER BEHOLD YOUR SON
SON BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER

HANGING ON THE CROSS
BEREFT OF ALL HE HELD DEAR
CRYING TO THE FATHER
OUT OF LONELINESS
WHY HAVE YOU LEFT ME

IN LIGHT OF ALL HE HAD GIVEN AWAY
HE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND
HOLDING BACK


FRANK A VOLLMER

Brooding

BROODING

AND THE SPIRIT BROODED OVER THE WATERS
LIKE A MOTHER HEN GIVING BIRTH TO A CHICK
SHE WOULD NOT LEAVE TILL IT WAS DONE
A SENTINEL
ALWAYS STANDING GUARD
THOSE WHO FEAR THE LAST COMING
WHO ANTICIPATE IT EVERY DAY
WHO QUAKE AT EVERY FALSE BUGLE CALL
DO LITTLE HONOR TO GOD
WHY WOULD ANYONE
LOVE A GOD
WHO HATES US
WHO DOES NOT REMEMBER
THE BROODING GOD
WHO WOULD SHELTER US
UNDER HIS WINGS

FRANK A VOLLMER

Ezekiel

EZEKIEL


Ezekiel 20:25-26

I GAVE THEM OVER TO WORTHLESS DECREES AND REGULATIONS THAT WOULD NOT LEAD TO LIFE. I LET THEM POLLUTE THEMSELVES WITH THE VERY GIFTS I HAD GIVEN THEM, AND I ALLOWED THEM TO GIVE THEIR FIRSTBORN CHILDREN AS OFFERINGS TO THEIR GODS—SO I MIGHT DEVASTATE THEM AND REMIND THEM THAT I ALONE AM THE LORD.




IF I READ EZEKIEL RIGHT
GOD GAVE MAN BAD LAWS
WHICH LED MEN TO SACRIFICE
THEIR FIRST CHILD

WHO SPOKE FOR THE CHILD

1 SAMUEL 15:3
NOW GO, ATTACK THE AMALEKITES AND TOTALLY DESTROY EVERYTHING THAT BELONGS TO THEM. DO NOT SPARE THEM; PUT TO DEATH MEN AND WOMEN, CHILDREN AND INFANTS, CATTLE AND SHEEP, CAMELS AND DONKEYS.

IF IT IS WRONG FOR NAZIS TO ERADICATE A RACE
WHY IS IT RIGHT FOR THE ISRAELITES

WHO SPOKE FOR THE AMALEKITES

GENESIS 22:2

THEN GOD SAID, "TAKE YOUR SON, YOUR ONLY SON, ISAAC,
WHOM YOU LOVE, AND GO TO THE REGION OF MORIAH.
SACRIFICE HIM THERE AS A BURNT OFFERING
ON ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT."


SHOULD A FATHER EVER KILL HIS SON
WHEN THE SON IS JUSTIFIED

WHO SPOKE FOR ISAAC

GENESIS 4:5
BUT ON CAIN AND HIS OFFERING
HE DID NOT LOOK WITH FAVOR.
SO CAIN WAS VERY ANGRY,
AND HIS FACE WAS DOWNCAST


I WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE CAIN
BUT HE GAVE OF SOME OF THE FRUITS OF THE FIELD
WHILE ABEL GAVE THE BEST OF THE FLOCK

I CHOOSE THREE
THERE MAY BE MORE

PERHAPS THESE WORDS WERE MEANT TO BE RESISTED
PERHAPS THEY WERE A TEST
NOT OF OBEDIENCE
BUT LIVING THE LAW

SHOULD ABRAHAM HAVE SAID
KILLING IS WRONG
SHOULD THE SOLDIERS HAVE SAID
KILLING IS WRONG
SHOULD THE FATHERS HAVE SAID
KILLING IS WRONG

ARE WE CALLED TO BE GOD’S CONSCIENCE

HOW ABOUT JOB’S CHILDREN
NOW I HAVE FOUR

WHO SPOKE FOR THEM

HEAVY THOUGHTS
FOR SOMEONE NEAR HEAVEN’S GATE

I DON'T THINK GOD WILL MIND
MY ASKING
WHY



FRANK A VOLLMER

The Devil Made Me Do It

CLEAVAGE


MY DOCTOR HAS CLEAVAGE
IT’S HARD NOT TO NOTICE
AS SHE CHECKS ME
FOR ERRANT LYMPH NODES
IN MY HEAD
NECK
AND ARMPITS

THE GOOD HOLY NUNS SAID
AVOID BAD THOUGHTS
I THOUGHT THEY WERE PRETTY GOOD MYSELF

I THINK SHE’S GETTING EVEN
I CHALLENGED HER
AT MARDI GRAS
THAT I WOULD FLASH
IF SHE WOULD
I HAD TO SETTLE FOR A STRING OF BEADS

SHE’S HIGHLY IRREVERENT
ESPECIALLY WITH ME
SHE DEMANDS A JOKE EVERY TIME I VISIT
OFTEN WE CLOSE THE DOOR

I DON’T THINK IT WAS AN APPLE IN THE GARDEN
BUT A BEAUTIFUL PEAR

FRANK A VOLLMER

Proverbs

I HAVE AN ARGUMENT WITH PROVERBS
THEIR DESCRIPTION OF A GOOD WIFE
I LOOKS LIKE A LIST FOR HIRING HELP
I THINK IT SMACKS OF WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS
MY WIFE LOVES ME
AND I LOVE HER
AND FROM THAT FLOWS GOOD
LIKE GRACE FREELY GIVEN
LIKE DEEDS FREELY DONE
THROUGH GOOD TIMES AND BAD
AS AGE WITHERS AND BEAUTY FADES
THERE STILL IS HEARD
THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE
AND I AM A BLESSED MAN


FRANK A VOLLMER

Jericho Traveler

WHEN HE STARTED OUT HE WASN'T POOR
OR HURT
OR MAIMED
OR SULLEN FACED
WITH A LAUGH AND A WHISTLE HE'D STARTED OUT
WITH A LAUGH AND A WHISTLE AND A HAPPY AIR
THEN WHAT HAPPENED ON THE JOURNEY
WHAT BROUGHT HIM TO THIS PLACE
WHAT BLEW THE CANDLE OUT
SO THAT HIS EYE REFLECTS THE SUN
BUT LETS NONE COME IN
WHO TOOK THE AIR HE BREATHED AND MADE IT FOUL
WHO MUFFLED SONG BIRDS EARLY SONG
WHO CRIED OUT "NIGGER" IN THE NIGHT
WHO CUT HIS BRAIN WITH MANY SCARS
WHO THEN COMPLAINED WHEN ANGER CAME
WHO LISTENED WHEN HIS CHILDREN CRIED
RAT BITTEN IN A COCKROACH BED
WHO CARED WHEN THOSE SAME CHILDREN DIED
LAID TO REST IN SEGREGATED BED
WHO TOOK THE BRIGHT PROMISE OF HIS FACE
AND CHISELED OF HIS SMILE
WHO TOOK THE LAUGHTER FROM HIS LIPS
AND CANDLE FROM HIS EYE
WHO PRAYED FOR HIM WHEN HE BEGGED FOR BREAD
WHO GAVE HIM BREAD WHEN HE WANTED LOVE
WHO STOPPED LOVING HIM WHEN HE MISBEHAVED
WHO TAUGHT HIM VIOLENCE AND WAR
WHO CRIED WITH HIM WHEN LONELINESS
CAME CREEPING IN LIKE EVENING FOG
WHO DUG THOSE FURROWS IN HIS BROW
WHO CARVED THOSE LINES OF LONELINESS
WHO TAUGHT HIM BITTERNESS AND HATE
AND THAT BROTHERHOOD'S A LIE

WHO.. WHO...
OH HELL... WHO GIVES A DAMN

FRANK A VOLLMER

Night Scene

IN COME THE WAVES
SPILLING AND FURLING
LIKE YOUNG GIRLS KNEELING
THROWING THEIR HAIR
SEA FROTH MOVING
TO WHIMS OF THE WIND
LITTLE BIRDS
HOVERING
NEAR THE EDGE
OF THE SEA
IN A RAUCOUS VOICE
THE SEAGULL
SERENADES THE MOON
AND DARK THINGS
ROAM IN THE NIGHT

FRANK A VOLLMER

Sad Song

I WILL NOT SING A SAD SONG
PERHAPS A WHISTLE BY THE GRAVEYARD SONG
A DEFIANT IN YOUR FACE SONG
A FRIGHTENED SONG
I HOPE NOT A DUMB SONG
CLOUDED BY PAIN
MEDICINE
OR MIND
BUT I WILL NOT SING A SAD SONG

I’VE BEEN SICK AGAIN
LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT
IT CAUGHT ME UNAWARES

BUT I WILL NOT SING A SAD SONG

MY LITTLE MALADY
COMPARED TO THE WORLD’S PAIN

I DO NOT FIND THAT SUFFERING IS ENNOBLING

SO MUCH OF IT IS UNDESERVED

I DO NOT THINK THAT GOD SENDS PAIN
SO MUCH IS HUMAN CAUSED

GOD ASKS US TO BRING HIS KINGDOM HERE
A POETIC GESTURE
OR DID HE MEAN IT

AND IF HE MEANT IT
ARE WE NOT TASKED TO ELIMINATE PAIN

AT TREBLINKA
THEY USED GEESE
TO MASK THE SOUND OF SUFFERING

HAVE WE GONE MUCH FURTHER THAN THAT
TO MAKE THE WORLD
THE WAY GOD WANTS IT

FRANK A VOLLMER

Pie Jesu

PIE JESU
PIE JESU
GRANT THEM REST LORD
GENTLE JESUS
GRANT THEM REST LORD
UNDISTURBED
PIE JESU
GENTLE JESUS

GRANT REST TO CHILDREN
DEAD BEFORE THEY WERE BORN
TO VICTIMS OF WAR
TO VICTIMS OF HATE
TO VICTIMS OF PROFIT
AT ANY COST
GRANT THEM REST
GENTLE JESUS
GRANT THEM REST

GRANT THEM REST
AND PROMINENCE
WHO OFTEN WERE IGNORED IN LIFE
OR WORSE INVISIBLE


OH SWEET JESUS
WHO TAKES AWAY
THE SINS OF THE WORLD
TAKE AWAY THE EFFECTS OF SIN
AS IT AFFECTS THEM

GRANT THEM REST
LORD JESUS
WHOSE LIFE
WAS A DISCORDANT SONG
GRANT THEM REST
GRANT THEM PEACE
FOREVERMORE

FRANK A VOLLMER

Infinity

THE SYMBOL FOR INFINITY
IS A FIGURE EIGHT
LAID ON IT SIDE
IT’S CALLED
A LEMNISCATE
A RIBBON

ANOTHER SYMBOL IS A SNAKE
SWALLOWING ITS TAIL
IT’S CALLED
AN UROBORUS
A CIRCLE

THEN GOD SAID BEGIN

WHERE ON THE CIRCLE
THE RIBBON
CAN YOU SAY THE SPOT

MAYBE GOD DIDN'T SPEAK IT
PERHAPS HE THOUGHT IT
Or BLINKED
OR SCRATCHED HIS HEAD
I WASN'T THERE

BUT I WAS AT MY OWN CONCEPTION
WHEN HE SAID BEGIN
AND MY UNIVERSE EXPLODED



WHEN I CONSIDER THE HEAVENS, THE WORK OF YOUR FINGERS
THE MOON AND THE STARS, WHICH YOU HAVE SET IN PLACE

WHAT IS MAN THAT YOU ARE MINDFUL OF HIM, THE SON OF MAN THAT YOU CARE FOR HIM

THE UNIVERSE IS STILL EXPANDING

SOMEDAY GRAVITY WILL TAKE OVER
IT WILL ALL COLLAPSE
AND BE DONE

TIME WILL HAVE ENDED

A MERE BLIP ON THE RIBBON

AND ALL OF US
WILL HAVE BEEN GATHERED
INTO GOD’S BOSOM

AND INFINITI
WILL ROLL ON
FOREVER

FRANK A VOLLMER

Vinny

I'VE TAKEN MY CAT TO THE VET
IT WAS QUITE AN ADVENTURE
HE WOULDN'T GO INTO HIS CARRIER
NEITHER BACKWARDS
OR FORWARD
UP OR DOWN
HE PREFERRED OUT TO IN
I LET HIM WIN

BUT THEN
ARMED
WITH LONG CUFFED FIREPLACE GLOVES
I WON I WON I WON
I GOT HIM IN
HE DIDN'T WIN
I GOT HIM IN

I HAVEN'T HAD LUCK WITH VETS
EVER SINCE
I TOOK MY PET ANTNY
IN TO BE NEUTERED
AND CAME HOME WITH A SPAYED
ANTOINETTE
I'D NEVER CHECKED

THIS AFTER TELLING THE VET STAFF
RIBALD JOKES
HOW I HAD THROWN ANTNY
A BACHELOR PARTY
AND GIVEN HIM
A CATNIP HIGH
WITH ASSORTED MALE JOCK HUMOR

I LEFT TO THE SOUND OF LAUGHTER
WITH MY DELICATE
ANTOINETTE

WHEN I FINALLY GOT VINNY TO THE VET
I EXPECTED ANOTHER FIGHT
NONE
HE CAME OUT OF HIS CAGE
A PERFECT GENTLEMAN


BUT AFTER THE VET EXAMINED HIM
HE GAVE HIM SHOTS
WHEN HE RELEASED VINNY
HE RAN AND HID IN HIS CAGE

HOW LIKE
I THOUGHT
OUR RELATIONSHIP
WITH GOD

WE FIGHT HIM
UNTIL WE GET HURT
THEN RUN TO HIM

VINNY’S WELL
AND THE DOCTOR SAID
THE DOCTOR SAID
THE SCRATCHES WILL HEAL

AND ANTOINETTE
IS
QUEEN OF MY HEART

FRANK A VOLLMER

Syro-Phoenician

WHEN THE WOMAN APPROACHED JESUS
HER FACE SET LIKE FLINT
EXPECTING SCORN
SHE WAS SYRO-PHOENICIAN
AND FEMALE

ONE WAS LOW
THE OTHER LOWER
BUT NEED FORCED HER TO SAY
HEAL MY DAUGHTER

HE ANSWERED
AS SHE EXPECTED
IT IS NOT RIGHT
TO TAKE THE BREAD OF ANGELS
AND FEED IT TO DOGS

UNDETERRED
SHE SPARRED WITH HIM
EVEN DOGS ARE FED FROM THE TABLE

HIS EYES SOFTENED
HIS WHOLE MANNER CHANGED
HE'D BEEN BESTED IN AN ARGUMENT

GO
YOUR DAUGHTER IS HEALED


FRANK A VOLLMER

The Potter

THE POTTER LOOKED AT THE WORK OF HIS HANDS
AND LOVED HIS CREATION
I SHALL CALL YOU
BELOVED OF MY HEART
SPOUSE …PARENT... FRIEND
YOU SHALL HOLD ALL THAT IS PRECIOUS TO ME
AND WHEN AS TIME WILL
THE VESSEL BREAKS
I SHALL CLAIM THE CONTENTS
AS MY OWN
EVEN THAT
WHICH YOU GAVE AWAY
AS SPOUSE …PARENT... FRIEND
INVESTING THE TALENTS I FILLED YOU WITH
AND YOU USED
HONORING MY NAME


FRANK A VOLLMER

VT

KYRIE ELEISON
CHRISTE ELEISON
KYRIE ELEISON
LORD HAVE MERCY

WHY
SAYS THE YOUNGER CHILD
ARE THESE DEATHS
DIFFERENT
FROM ANY OTHER DEATHS

WHY DO THESE DEATHS
HAVE MONUMENTS
WHEN SO MANY
HAVE NO MONUMENT
AT ALL

IF WE MOURN ONE
SHOULD WE NOT MOURN ALL
SHOULD NOT EVERYMAN’S DEATH
BE UNIQUE

WHAT MADNESS
TAKES AWAY
THE LIFE OF ONE
WHAT MADNESS
TAKES AWAY
THE LIFE OF MANY
ARE MADNESS
AND EVIL
THE SAME THING

WHERE ARE TEARS
WHEN THOUSAND DIE

ARE CHILDREN BORN
TO BE LED TO SLAUGHTER
BECAUSE OF MEN’S FOLLY

IT IS NEVER EASY
WHEN PARENTS
BURY CHILDREN
ESPECIALLY
WHEN THEY ASK
FOR WHAT PURPOSE
WAS MY DEATH

AND THE ANSWER
IS LIKE DRY LEAVES
GATHERING
AND STILL


FRANK A VOLLMER

Trees of Promise

WE ARE LIKE TREES IN GOD’S EYES

WITH ONE EYE HE SEES US
IN SPRINGTIME FINERY

FLOWERED
AND LEAFED

AND MOVING
TO THE WIND OF THE SPIRIT

WITH THE OTHER EYE
HE SEES US AS WINTER TREES

LIMBS BROKEN
BATTERED BARK
ROOTS EXPOSED

MAYBE SOME TRUNK ROT
SETTING IN

AND HE LOVES US
NOT FOR WHAT WE ARE
BUT WHAT WE CAN BECOME

AND IF AT THE END
OR ANYTIME

WE ARE LIKE THE GOOD THIEF
WHO CRIES
BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER

I HAVE NOT BOURNE FRUIT
NOR PROVIDED SHADE
NOR GIVEN SHELTER TO BIRDS

HE
SEEING OUR SUMMER TREE
OF PROMISE
SAYS

WELCOME HOME


FRANK A VOLLMER

Labyrinth

IT’S LIKE FOLLOWING GOD’S WILL
ONE COULD GET TO THE GOAL FASTER
BY STEPPING OVER THE LINES
BUT THEN
THE JOURNEY
WOULD HAVE NO MEANING
THE JOURNEY IS PART OF THE QUEST
THE JOURNEY
IS FOLLOWING
THE WILL OF THE CREATOR
THERE’S LETTING GO
AND LETTING GOD
REACHING THE CENTER
AND KNOWING YOU ARE HOME

FRANK A VOLLMER

Sarah

WHEN ABRAHAM BURIED SARAH
HE TOLD HIS SERVANTS
CLOSE THE TOMB GENTLY
FOR WITH IT
YOU CUT OFF
PART OF MY HEART

I REMEMBER MOST OF ALL
HER LAUGH
IT CHEERED ME
WHEN THE PROMISES OF GOD SEEMED HOPELESS

HER LAUGH
WAS A YOUNG GIRL’S LAUGH
NO MATTER HOW OLD SHE BECAME
LIKE LAUGHING AT ANGELS
WHOSE NEWS WERE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

GOD CALLED HER PRINCESS
AND SHE WAS
OF MY HEART
AND HER FAMILY

ROLL THE STONE GENTLY ON HER TOMB
AND LET ME ALONE
TO MOURN HER
AS NIGHT FALLS

FRANK A VOLLMER

Limbo Isn't Limbo Anymore

FOR SALE A PROPERTY
DREAMED BY MEN
IN LOVE WITH GOD’S JUSTICE
IMITATING HIM WITH OLD TESTAMENT VIGOR

LIMBO MEANS EDGE OR BORDER
NEITHER HEAVEN NOR HELL
A PLACE WHERE ONE MIGHT FEEL EMPTY
AND NOT KNOW WHY

BUT GOD’S LOVE IS GREATER
THAN OUR ABILITY TO COMPREHEND
AND THE FENCE THAT DIVIDES
HEAVEN AND HELL
HAS BEEN MOVED

AND CHILDREN
WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE
ARE RUNNING
WHERE THEY HAVE ALWAYS RUN
ON GOD’S GOLDEN STREETS

Nursing Home Visit

I HAVE A DAUGHTER
OF WHOM
I AM EXTREMELY PROUD

WHO IS THIS WOMAN
THAT TENDS MY HANDS
AND ASKS ME QUESTIONS
ABOUT HOMES I SHOULD REMEMBER

SOMETIMES THE SNOW WHIRLS
AND BLOTS THE LANDSCAPE OF MY HORIZON

WHO IS THIS WOMAN
THAT PRATTLES ON

I HAVE A DAUGHTER
OF WHOM
I AM EXTREMELY PROUD

THE SNOW TWIRLS
THE SNOW WHIRLS
THE LANDSCAPE IS CHANGED
IN ITS PASSING

WHO IS THIS WOMAN
DOING MY HAIR

I HAVE A DAUGHTER
OF WHOM
I AM EXTREMELY PROUD
AND A MESSAGE THAT MUST BE TOLD

BUT THE SNOW WHIRLS
THE SNOW TWIRLS

I HAVE A DAUGHTER
OF WHOM
I AM EXTREMELY PROUD


FRANK A VOLLMER

Requiescat Mum

IN NEWFOUNDLAND
WHERE MOM WAS BORN
THE CEMETERIES IN THE COUNTRY
ARE SURROUNDED BY FENCES

THE ANIMALS EAT THE GRASS
FLAT
AROUND THE FENCE

BUT THE CEMETERY ITSELF
IS ALLOWED TO GROW WILD

I THINK IT'S A NEWFIE WAY
OF TELLING US

WHAT IS IMPORTANT

WE BURIED THE BODY OF MIRIAM
BUT WE DID NOT BURY MIRIAM

SHE IS MORE ALIVE TODAY
THAN WHEN SHE DWELT IN HER BODY

WE HONOR THAT BODY
WHICH GAVE US BIRTH
NURSED AND CARED FOR US
TAUGHT AND ADMONISHED US
HUGGED US
SCOLDED US
LIFTED US UP
AND SET US FREE

WE HONOR THAT BODY

SHE IS MORE ALIVE TODAY
THAN SHE EVER WAS
ALL THE QUESTIONS OF HER QUESTING MIND
ARE ANSWERED

AND WE WOULD DISHONOR HER MEMORY
AND HER TEACHING
IF WE ALLOWED SORROW
TO OVERWHELM US COMPLETELY

MOM WOULD RATHER WE REMEMBER HER LAUGHING

AS HARD AS IT MAY BE FOR US NOW
MOM WOULD RATHER
WE REMEMBER HER LAUGHING


SO WE SEND MOM'S BODY TO THE ELEMENTS
TO BECOME
EARTH
AIR
FIRE AND WATER

AND WE SHALL LEAVE
SADDENED BY HER PASSING

BUT ON HER BIRTHDAY
BE AWARE
OF A CURTAIN
MOVING IN THE WIND
OR THE SUN
SHINING ON A CLOUDY DAY
AND HEAR A VOICE IN YOUR HEAD
SAYING

I AM AT PEACE
ALL IS WELL
TELL THE WORD

Naming the Hours

MATINS

TODAY WE HAVE THE NAMING OF HOURS
AS OUR DAY BEGINS
WITH THE NURSE WAKING US
TO TAKE OUR TEMPERATURE
AND OUR PULSE
WE HAVE GREETED THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
ALL AROUND I HEAR
SORRY TO WAKE YOU
A LITTLE HIGH THIS MORNING
A LITTLE LOW
TAKE THIS MAGIC PILL
TO MAKE IT RIGHT
AND WE BEGIN THE DAY
BY TRYING TO GO BACK TO SLEEP
BUT NOT BEFORE I THINK OR SAY

LET THE NAME OF THE LORD BE PRAISED, BOTH NOW AND FOREVERMORE. FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN
TO THE PLACE WHERE IT SETS, THE NAME OF THE LORD BE PRAISED.

LAUDS

NOW IT BEGINS
THE WAKE UP CALL WITH BREAKFAST
AND THE MAGIC PILLS AGAIN
AND TEMPERATURE
AND PULSE
BRIGHT WITH PROMISE
WE BEGIN OUR DAY

O LORD, OPEN MY LIPS, AND MY MOUTH WILL DECLARE YOUR PRAISE

IN THE MORNING, O LORD, YOU HEAR MY VOICE; IN THE MORNING I LAY MY REQUESTS BEFORE YOU AND WAIT IN EXPECTATION

SATISFY US IN THE MORNING
WITH YOUR UNFAILING LOVE,
THAT WE MAY SING FOR JOY
AND BE GLAD
ALL OUR DAYS

THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH
AND MY SHIELD;
MY HEART TRUSTS IN HIM,
AND I AM HELPED.
MY HEART LEAPS FOR JOY
AND I WILL GIVE THANKS TO HIM IN SONG


PRIME

WE ARE ASKED TO BEGIN THE DAY’S WORK
WHETHER RESTING OR HEALING
TESTING OR EATING
SLEEPING OR STARING AT THE WALL
BUT FIRST WE WASH
OR OTHERS WASH US


CLEANSE ME WITH HYSSOP,
AND I WILL BE CLEAN; WASH ME,
AND I WILL BE WHITER
THAN SNOW

TERCE


COFFEE BREAK TIME
NO ONE HAS EVER CALLED IT THAT
A MID MORNING RECOLLECTION
OF WHO WE ARE

THE LORD WILL SUSTAIN HIM
ON HIS SICKBED
AND RESTORE HIM
FROM HIS BED
OF ILLNESS

RESTORE TO ME
THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION
AND GRANT ME
A WILLING SPIRIT
TO SUSTAIN


SEXT


WE GIVE THANKS FOR OUR FOOD
AND ITS DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
NO SUGAR ADDED
OR NO SALT
BUT THE PORTION LOOKS INCREDIBLY SMALL


BE ALERT
FOR YOUR ENEMY THE DEVIL
PROWLS AROUND
LIKE A ROARING LION
LOOKING FOR SOMEONE
TO DEVOUR

HE GIVES FOOD
TO EVERY CREATURE
HIS LOVE ENDURES
FOREVER


HE RAINED DOWN MANNA
FOR THE PEOPLE TO EAT HE GAVE THEM
THE GRAIN OF HEAVEN MEN ATE THE BREAD OF ANGELS
HE SENT THEM
ALL
THE FOOD
THEY COULD EAT


NONE


TEMPERATURE AND PULSE TIME AGAIN
THE GATHERING OF THE ENDS OF THE DAY
MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR SUPPER
PERHAPS A NAP
A QUIET RESTFUL TIME
A TIME TO SAY



BUT I HAVE STILLED
AND QUIETED MY SOUL
LIKE A WEANED CHILD
WITH ITS MOTHER
LIKE A WEANED CHILD
IS MY SOUL WITHIN ME


YOUR SUN WILL NEVER SET AGAIN
AND YOUR MOON
WILL WANE NO MORE
THE LORD
WILL BE YOUR EVERLASTING LIGHT
AND YOUR DAYS OF SORROW WILL END


VESPERS


WE HAVE WASHED OUR FACE FOR EVENING
WE’VE HAD OUR TEMPERATURE AND PULSE TAKEN
A FINAL ROUND OF PILLS
A CERTAIN SENSE OF SADNESS
AT THE END OF THE DAY
A CERTAIN SENSE OF FRIGHT
AT THE COMING OF THE NIGHT
A CERTAIN SENSE
OF BEING HELD IN GOD’S HAND

O LORD
I CALL UPON YOU;
HASTEN TO ME GIVE EAR TO MY VOICE
WHEN I CALL TO YOULET MY PRAYER RISE UP
LIKE INCENSE BEFORE YOU, THE LIFTING UP OF MY HANDS
AS THE EVENING SACRIFICE!SET A GUARD, O LORD
OVER MY MOUTH KEEP WATCH
OVER THE DOOR OF MY LIPS


THE LORD
WILL SUSTAIN HIM
ON HIS SICKBED
AND RESTORE HIM
FROM HIS BED
OF ILLNESS



COMPLINE


IT’S TIME FOR GOING TO BED
THE LORD GRANT US A PEACEFUL
PAIN FREE NIGHT
AND LET US WAKE UP SINGING


I WILL BOTH LIE DOWN
AND SLEEP
FOR YOU ALONE
O LORD
MAKE ME DWELL
IN SAFETY


KEEP US O LORD
AS THE APPLE OF THINE EYE
PROTECT US
UNDER THE SHADOW
OF YOUR WINGS
THE LORD BE WITH US
AND ALL OUR ABSENT
BROTHERS AND SISTERS

AMEN SO BE IT AMEN


FRANK A VOLLMER

A Day Like This

A Liturgical Playlet

REFRAIN: WHEN WERE YOU HUNGRY OR NAKED OR POOR?
WHEN DID YOU ASK FOR WATER?

I WAS AT DACHAU AND AUSCHWITZ
I AM AT HANOI AND SAIGON
I AM BURIED IN EGYPT AND ISRAEL
I AM SICK OF WAR
.

I STAND WITH HUNGRY EYES
AND WATCH SURPLUS FOOD GO UP IN FLAMES
I AM A MIGRANT WORKER'S CHILD
STARVING IN THE LAND OF PLENTY



I AM THE BASTARD CHILD OF A BASTARD CHILD
I AM GHETTO BRED WITH TORCH AND STONE
NO ONE LISTENS UNLESS I AM VIOLENT
NO ONE CARES UNTIL THEY FEEL MY HATE


I AM AN OLD PERSON IGNORED AND ALONE
I AN A YOUNG MAN IN THE GUTTER ON DRUGS
I AM THE CHILD TAUGHT HATE BY MY ELDERS
I AM LOST AND DO NOT KNOW THE WAY


IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS

THAT I WAS HUNGRY
A DAY LIKE THIS THAT I WAS POOR
A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN I TRIED TO HELP
A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN MY CHURCH BEGAN



IT NIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN IT ALL BEGAN
A DAY LIKE THIS
WHEN HE NAMED PETER... ROCK
WHEN HE GAVE IT BIRTH
KNOWING THE BIRTH PAINS WOULD NOT CEASE TILL IT WAS DEAD
TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN IN AGE AND WISDOM
TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN IN DREAMS AND HOPES
TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN RECEIVING TRUTH
TWELVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF TELLING IT BACK
TWELVE DIFFERENT MEN


IT NIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS
THAT SATAN TIPTOED UP
"DUMMY
ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT AGAIN

ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES
YOUR FATHER DID
ARE YOU GOING TO FOUND A CHURCH?"
AS USUAL SATAN HAD SHOWN GOOD SENSE
HE'D TOLD THE TRUTH
FOR EVEN CHRIST WAS FINDING FAULT

WITH WHAT HE SAW

I DO NOT WANT SACRIFICES BUT KINDNESS

MATTHEW 12


THESE PEOPLE HONOR ME WITH THEIR WORDS
BUT THEIR HEART IS REALLY FAR FROM ME
IT IS NO USE FOR THEM TO WORSHIP ME
BECAUSE THEY TEACH MAN MADE COMMANDMENTS
AS THOUGH
THEY WERE GOD'S RULES

MATTHEW 15


THEY FIX UP HEAVY LOADS
AND TIE THEM ON MEN'S BACKS
YET THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO LIFT A FINGER
TO HELP CARRY THESE LOADS

MATTHEW 23


YOU ARE LIKE WHITEWASHED TOMBS
FINE ON THE OUTSIDE
BUT FULL OF DEAD MEN'S BONES

MATTHEW 23


I HAVE NOT COME TO DO AWAY WITH THE LAW
BUT TO GIVE IT REAL MEANING

MATTHEW 5

THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED
TURNED OUT TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT STONE

MATTHEW 21


MY WEDDING FEAST IS READY
BUT THE PEOPLE I INVITED DID NOT DESERVE IT
GO OUT INTO THE STREETS
AND INVITE WHOM YOU FIND

MATTHEW 23


SO HERE WE ARE
WALL FLOWERS OF THE LORD
THE LATE COMERS
THE PEOPLE HE INVITED
WHEN NO ONE ELSE WOULD COME
WHAT WERE SOME OF HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT HIS CHURCH
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE RULES


YOU HAVE HEARD IT WAS SAID
LOVE YOUR FRIENDS HATE YOUR ENEMIES
BUT I TELL YOU LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO MISTREAT YOU

MATTHEW 5

WHEN YOU PRAY SAY
OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN
MAY YOUR NAME BE KEPT HOLY
MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME
MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH
AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
GIVE US TODAY THE FOOD WE NEED
FOR GIVE US THE WRONGS THAT WE HAVE DONE
AS WE FORGIVE THE WRONGS THAT OTHERS HAVE DONE US
DO NOT BRING US TO HARD TESTING
BUT KEEP US SAFE FROM THE EVIL ONE

MATTHEW 6


IF ONE OF YOU WANTS TO BE GREAT
HE MUST BE A SERVANT OF THE REST
LIKE THE SON OF MAN
WHO DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED
BUT TO SERVE
AND GIVE HIS LIFE TO REDEEM MANY PEOPLE

MATTHEW 20

DID HE NOT KNOW WHEN HE LOOKED PETER IN THE EYE
THAT HE WAS A MAN
COULD HE NOT HEAR THE DISTANT ECHO OF COCK CROW
WAS HE NOT AWARE OF THE IMPETUOUSNESS
THAT MADE HIM WALK ON WATER
OR THE SELF DOUBTS THAT LET HIM SINK
DID HE NOT SEE
WEATHERED FACE AND WEATHERED SOUL
NO STRANGER TO OUR JOYS OR SORROW
NO SCHOLAR HE
POET MAYBE
ONE IN TUNE WITH SEA AND TIDES AND WEATHER
THE CYCLE OF SEASONS THE RUNNING OF FISH
THE PATIENCE OF THE FISHERMAN

I WONDER IF THAT'S WHY HE PICKED HIM
IF HE SAW IN HIM THE SAME WORKMAN'S PRIDE
THAT JOSEPH HAD
IF HE SAW IN PETER'S WORDS AND ACTIONS
MEMORIES OF JOSEPH
IF HE DID NOT INSTINCTIVELY TRUST HIM
A MAN MINDFUL OF HIS NETS AND BOATS
MINDFUL OF HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY
WHO WOULD BE CAREFUL OF LITTLE THINGS
THE NECESSARY UNPRETENTIOUS DOING THINGS
NOT PLAYING FOR THE BALCONY
JUST DOING HIS JOB
THIS MAN HE CHOOSE



I GIVE TO YOU THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

MATTHEW 16


PETER - DO YOU LOVE ME
FEED MY LAMBS
PETER - DO YOU LOVE ME
FEED MY SHEEP
PETER - DO YOU LOVE ME

FOLLOW ME
JOHN 21


AND YOU PETER
WOULD YOU LEAVE ME
TO WHOM WOULD I GO LORD
YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE

JOHN 6

PUSH OUT THE BOATS
AND LET DOWN YOUR NETS
BUT MASTER WE HAVE LABORED ALL NIGHT
AND CAUGHT NOTHING
BUT WE WILL TRY AGAIN

LUKE 5


I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN
I WILL MAKE YOU HARVESTERS IN THE FIELD
YOU WILL TEND THE VINE AND THE FIG TREE
THE MUSTARD SEED THE COCKLE THE WHEAT
SHALL BE YOUR CONCERN
I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN

HE'D PICKED A FISHERMAN TO WORK IN HIS GARDEN
TO TEND THE SEED HE'D PLANT IN THE SPRING
STRUCK DOWN IN THE SPRINGTIME
THRUST DOWN IN THE EARTH
PLOWED UNDER BY EVIL

HE'D PICKED A FISHERMAN TO TEND TO HIS GARDEN
TO WATCH OVER THE GROWTH OF THE SEED
FROM THE SEED TO THE PLANT
FROM PLANT TO THE FLOWER
TO THE SEED TO THE PLANT TO THE FLOWER
ALWAYS RENEWING
THROUGH CYCLE OF SEASONS
ALWAYS THE SEED DOWN THE AGES
ALWAYS THE SEED TELLING THE MESSAGE
GOD IS HE LOVES HE CARES

DOWN THE AGES ALWAYS THE MESSAGE
ALWAYS THE SEED THE PLANT OR THE FLOWER
ALWAYS THE SEED
TENDED BY GARDENERS POETS FOOLS OR BY THIEVES
ALWAYS THE SEED

IF YOU LOVE ME - KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS
I WILL SEND YOU THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH
TO STAY WITH YOU FOREVER
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS
I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU ORPHANS

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN IT ALL BEGAN

A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN WE TRIED AGAIN

Stage directions;

Poetry read by narrator.

Bible verses by various members of the congregation.

Opening verses like a Sunday psalm.

War Memorial

FOUR COLUMNS OF GRANITE
AND A ROOF
WEATHERED BRONZE STAINING THE STONE
A PLACE WHERE WINDS GATHER TO SIGH
AND LEAVES TO DIE
HOW NOBLE THE WORDS UPON THE PLAQUE
WE WILL NOT FORGET
NOR SHALL YOUR DEATH BE IN VAIN
HOW MANY WARS AGO
HOW MANY MONUMENTS SINCE
ONE WOULD WISH THAT THE NOBLE THOUGHTS
COULD BE ENGRAVED UPON THE HEART INSTEAD OF STONE
BUT PERHAPS THE HEART IS HARDER
AND WOULD WEAR THE CHISEL OUT
MAYBE IT'S THE DARK LINES IN THE SKY OF A FADING DAY
THAT MAKES ME FEEL THIS WAY
WRINKLES ON THE BROW OF AN AGING SKY
STANDING BESIDE A MONUMENT WITH NOBLE WORDS
KNOWING WE HAVE AND WILL FORGET


FRANK A VOLLMER

Dives

LET US SING A DIRGE ABOUT DIVES
WHO SUPPED AT A BANQUET TABLE
WHILE UNDERNEATH SAT LAZARUS
WAITING FOR CRUMBS
FROM BREAD
DIVES USED
TO CLEAN HIS GREASY HANDS

FOOD FOR THE DOGS
WHO LICKED HIS SORES

HE FELT GRATEFUL FOR THE CRUMBS

DIVES DIVES
WHY ARE YOU THERE
IN HELL
WHAT DID YOU DO WRONG

NOTHING

THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE

BECAUSE LAZARUS WAS INVISIBLE TO ME

I NEVER BEAT HIM
OR CHASED HIM FROM MY TABLE

HE WAS INVISIBLE TO ME


FRANK A VOLLMER

Hands

I'M RUNNING OUT OF HANDS

I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT
THAT IF I LOST MY LEFT HAND
MY RIGHT HAND WOULD BE LEFT

THERE’S A JOKE THERE
BUT I CAN'T PUT MY FINGER ON IT

I HATE TO PALM A BAD JOKE OFF ON YOU
I'D LIKE TO WRIST HUMOR
OUT OF THIS SITUATION
THUMB-THING FUNNY

IF THE WHOLE WORLD’S IN HIS HANDS
I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO CLAP WITH

THE STROKE TOOK MY RIGHT HAND
THEN MY LEFT HAND
WHICH WAS NOW MY RIGHT HAND
DEVELOPED TENDINITIS
FROM TOO MUCH WORK

SO NOW I WEAR A BRACE
WHAT A DISGRACE
SOON I'LL BE EATING LIKE A CAT
IMAGINE THAT

I'M ALREADY CUTE AND CUDDLY

FRANK A VOLLMER

Loves and Fishes

WHAT IS SO LITTLE
JUDGED AGAINST SO MANY
SIX MONTH'S WAGES
AND A DAY'S WALK
WOULD ONLY GIVE EACH A LITTLE
SEND THEM AWAY

LAUGHING AT HIS INNOCENCE
ANDREW SAID
THERE IS A BOY HERE
WITH FIVE LOAVES
TWO FISHES TOO
WHAT SHALL WE DO

MAKE THE PEOPLE SIT DOWN
AND TAKING LITTLE
HE MADE MUCH
HE MADE MUCH TO OVERFLOWING

YOU FEED THEM ALL WITH A GENEROUS HAND
THE PSALMIST SINGS
SO SHALL THE LACK
THE LITTLE THAT IS ME
BE MADE TO FILL
THE THINGS ORDAINED
BY YOU
FOR ME TO DO

FRANK A VOLLMER

Sodom

Ezekiel 16:49
Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness,

while the poor and needy suffered outside her door


SODOM

SOMEWHERE ON THE ROAD TO SODOM
THERE’S A SIGN
TELLING THE WHY OF SODOM’S RUIN

Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness,

while the poor and needy suffered outside her door

ARE WE NOT IN THE SAME POSITION
WHILE CHILDREN STARVE
WE ARGUE ABOUT SEXUAL PROCLIVITY

WHILE INDUSTRY
DEFRAUDS WORKERS
OF PAY AND PENSION
WE PIOUSLY PRATE
THAT MAN IS CREATED
IN GOD’S IMAGE

PREACHING CHRISTIANITY
WE VOTE FOR WAR
AND GLOAT AT VICTORY

SHOULD WE NOT KEEP AN EYE TO THE SKY
LEST ANOTHER RUIN AWAIT US

FRANK A VOLLMER

Crucifixion

HE DIDN'T WANT TO DIE
THE TRUTH BE TOLD
HE DIDN'T WANT TO DIE

BUT THERE HE HUNG
NAKED HUNG
AGAINST THE NOON DAY SKY

LIKE CARRION THEY CAME
TO SIT UPON THE LAWN AND WATCH
HOW SUCH A MAN WOULD DIE

NO MAN WHO HAS EVER CALLED ANOTHER…FRIEND
OR HELD A LOVER'S HAND
OR FELT THE PULL OF FALLING STAR
OR HEARD A ROBIN SING
NO MAN WHO HAS EVER BEEN IN LOVE
OR BOUNCED A BABY ON HIS KNEE
REALLY WANTS TO DIE

BUT THERE HE HUNG
NAKED HUNG
AGAINST A DARKENING SKY

HIS NEED FOR LOVE SO GREAT HE CRIED
I THIRST
THEY WONDERED WHY

AS HE HUNG
NAKED HUNG
AGAINST A NIGHT BLACK SKY

THE CARRION JUST STOOD AROUND
WAITING FOR HIM TO DIE
HE FELT THE COLDNESS OF THEIR HEARTS
AND CRIED TO HIS FATHER … WHY
ALL HIS PENT UP PASSION SURGING
HE CRIED TO HIS FATHER …WHY

AS HE HUNG
NAKED HUNG
FOR LOVE OF YOU AND I

Frank A Vollmer

The Widows

THEY WERE CONTENT
IN A SAD SORT OF A WAY

THEY’D GUIDED THEIR HUSBANDS
SAFELY THROUGH THE SHOALS OF DEATH
AND BEYOND

THEY REMEMBERED THE SILLY LITTLE THINGS
LIKE
FIGHTING FOR BLANKETS
SNORING
SOCKS ON THE FLOOR

THEY WISHED THEY COULD COMPLAIN AGAIN

THE BED IS TOO LARGE

HE’S KEEP ALIVE IN THE MEMORIES OF CHILDREN
THEIR POP-POP OR POPPY
GRAMPY OR GRUMPY
THEIR BEST BUD

MOST DAYS LIFE GOES ON
BUT SOMETIMES
THEY’D LIKE TO SHARE A JOKE
AND THERE IS NO ONE TO HEAR


FRANK A VOLLMER

When Jesus Said

WHEN JESUS SAID
YOU HAVE THE POOR
ALWAYS WITH YOU
HE DIDN'T MEAN IT AS AN EXCUSE
TO DO NOTHING

BUT RATHER A REASON
FOR HIS DEATH

RATHER TO DESCRIBE
A THORN
IN THE BODY MYSTIC

THE POOR YOU HAVE ALWAYS WITH YOU
A SAD COMMENT ON HIS DEATH
THIS IS NOT THE WORLD GOD WANTS

YOUR KINGDOM COME
YOUR WILL BE DONE
ON EARTH
AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

ARE WE DOING GOD’S WILL

ARE WE SAYING
GOD’S WILL IS IMPOSSIBLE
ARE WE SAYING
GOD HAS GIVEN US
AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK
AN IMPOSSIBLE PRAYER

THE LAST WORDS CHRIST HEARD
HANGING ON THE CROSS
WERE DREAMER
OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY

WERE THEY TRUE

The "C" Word

WHEN PILATE
FIRST SAID THE C WORD
TO YOU JESUS

DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT

SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART

IN OUR MUTUAL PASSIONS
I FIND MUCH THAT IS SIMILAR

STRUGGLING UP YOUR HILL
YOU FELL OFTEN

STRUGGLING UP MY HILL
I FIND MANY WEAK TIMES

YOU HAD SIMON
I HAVE THE DOCTOR

YOU HAD THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
I HAVE THE NURSES
WHO HAVE PUT AWAY THEIR WAILING RAGS
AND BECOME TRUE PROFESSIONALS

A TRIBUTE TO YOU
WHO RAISED THE STATUS OF WOMEN
BY BEING BORN

AND THEREBY SAYING
THAT ALL CREATION IS BEAUTIFUL
AND THEREFORE EQUAL

AND ON THE HILLTOP
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF…
THERE I'VE SAID THE WORD
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF MY SIN
YOU SET ME FREE
TO LIVE A HOLY AND A WHOLLY LIFE

AND ON MY HILLTOP
LET ME SAY WITH YOU
FATHER IT IS FINISHED
CURED OR AT LEAST IN REMISSION

AND WE SHALL WALK
OUR EASTER MORNINGS
SIDE BY SIDE

FRIENDS AS ALWAYS
WE HAVE WALKED
THROUGH THE DARK PORTAL
AND FOUND SUN SHINE


BUT FIRST
WHEN PILATE SAID THE C WORD TO YOU JESUS
DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT

SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART
BECAUSE SO DID I


FRANK A VOLLMER