Born Again

THERE WAS A WAR TORN VILLAGE IN GERMANY
IN WHOSE VILLAGE SQUARE
WAS A CAROUSEL
DAMAGED
THOUGH THE LION
STILL CHASED THE TIGER
WHO CHASED THE HORSE
BUT THE MUSIC WAS STILLED

IT NEEDS REBIRTH I THOUGHT
TO RESTORE LAUGHTER TO THE CHASE
IT NEEDS REBIRTH

ODD PHRASE I THOUGHT
WHEN USED BY CHRISTIANS
AS IF BY MERELY THINKING IT
THE CAROUSEL WAS FIXED

NO MENTION OF THE MECHANIC
AND THE CARPENTER'S SKILL

AND WHEN FIXED
NO MENTION OF THE MAINTENANCE

WHEN ONE IS REBORN BY WATER
AND THE SPIRIT
IS THAT THE END OF IT

WILL THE HORSE NEVER LOSE AN EAR
WILL THE STRAP ON THE GIRAFFE
NEVER BREAK
OR THE CALLIOPE
NEVER NEED TUNING

WILL THE PERSON
THE DAY AFTER BEING SAVED
STILL NEED TO SHAVE

WILL SHOELACES NEVER BREAK
OR TOAST BE BURNED
WILL HE NEVER WAKE UP GRUMPY

WILL HE NEVER
CRAVE A WOMAN NOR WEALTH
WILL HE NEVER BE TESTED BY HEALTH

MERRY GO ROUNDS NEED FIXING
AND SO DO WE
BEFORE THE LION
WILL CHASE THE TIGER
WHO CHASES THE HORSE

AND THE CALLIOPE FILLS THE AIR


FRANK A VOLLMER

IN CREATION MYTHS
A COMMON THEME
HAS GODS
INVOLVED IN SIBLING SEX
RAPE
MURDER
TURF WARS
BUTCHERY
STRUGGLES FOR POWER

THE WORLD MADE
BY THEIR CHILDREN'S BODIES
OR PARTS THEREOF

A CREATION STORY
AS CONCEIVED BY MEN

BUT WHEN THE JEWISH SCRIBES
SURROUNDED
BY BABYLONIAN IDOLATRY
DROWNED IN FOREIGN GODS
TO WHICH THE JEWS
WERE SUSCEPTIBLE

REWROTE AND EDITED
THE GENESIS STORY
TO GIVE THEIR DISPLACED COUNTRYMEN
HOPE
AND VISION

THEY INCORPORATED OF COURSE
SOME OF THE OLD BABYLONIAN TALES
SUCH AS THE FLOOD
AND THE TOWER OF BABEL

BUT WHEN IT CAME TO CREATION
THEY DID A HUNDRED AND EIGHTY

NO STRUGGLE
NO CONSTANT SEX
AS THE EGYPTIANS
DID WITH THE BROTHER AND SISTER
EARTH AND SKY

GOD SIMPLY SAID
BEGIN
AND IT WAS SO
GOD SAID
IT'S GOOD

NOW WHETHER IT TOOK
AN INSTANT
OR MILLENNIUMS
FOR FRUITION

IT DOESN'T MATTER
GOD SAID BEGIN
AND IT WAS

OUT OF NOTHING
IT WAS

BUT WHEN IT CAME TO MAN

THE SPIRIT THAT BROODED OVER THE ABYSS
BREATHED INTO HIM A SOUL
AND MADE HIM THE CAPSTONE OF HIS CREATION

AND GOD SAID
THAT'S GOOD

AND THE JEWS KNEW THAT MAN WAS SPECIAL
MADE
NOT FROM THE SWEAT OF BATTLE
THE BLOOD DROPS OF WAR
THE SEMEN OF SEX

GOD SAID BEGIN
AND IT WAS

GOD SAID
LET US MAKE MAN
AND IT WAS SO

AND IT WAS GOOD

NO STRUGGLE

OH GOD TOLD A FISHERMAN'S JOKE
WHEN HE ASKED JOB
IF HE COULD CATCH A WHALE ON A HOOK


BUT THE JEWS KNEW
EVEN THOUGH
THEY WERE FOREIGNERS
IN A FOREIGN LAND

THAT THEY
AND EVERY MAN WAS SPECIAL
NOT MADE BY ACCIDENT
BUT A DELIBERATE CREATION

THAT GOD
THEN
NOW
AND ALWAYS
WOULD HOLD THEM IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND


FRANK A VOLLMER

Six Word Poems

MY POETRY
MY LIFE
DON'T RHYME


CANCER CAME
CANCER STAYED
STILL HOPING


TOENAILS CUT
BADLY NEEDED
SHREDDED SHEETS


WALKER SOUNDS
COMING NEAR
SLOW SHUFFLING


CHILD'S LAUGHTER
SILLY JOKE
LOVE EXCHANGING


VIRGIN'S DEATH
TOMBSTONE READS
RETURNED UNOPENED


SLIPPERS WAIT
UNDER BED
OWNER GONE


HOME FROM FUNERAL
DOG WAITS
WONDERING


FRANK A VOLLMER

Winter Tree

A WINTER TREE
SHOWS ALL THE AGONY OF GROWTH
HIDDEN IN SPRING
IN SUMMER
BY LEAF FINERY
IN FALL
BY DEATH'S DISPLAY
BUT WINTER SHOWS THE PAIN OF GROWTH
AS WRINKLES
ON THE FACE
OF AN OLD WOMEN
SHOW THE BEAUTY
OF SURVIVING


FRANK A VOLLMER

An Old Veteran's Tale

BY THE WATERS THAT BABBLED ON
WE CROUCHED IN SHELL HOLES
ERIE SHADOWS MADE BY STAR SHELLS
RUMBLING AND FLASHES OF CANNON
STACCATO SOUND OF RIFLE FIRE

WE WERE IN RETREAT
WE WERE HURRYING
TO MAKE A NEW DEFENSE LINE

OUR SQUAD'S JOB
WAS TO BLOW THE BRIDGE
AND PROTECT OUR WOUNDED

WE WERE SHORT OF TRUCKS
WE WERE SHORT OF EVERYTHING

I REMEMBER
ANOTHER TIME
ANOTHER PLACE
ANOTHER BRIDGE

A PICNIC BASKET
WAS ON THE BLANKET
WHERE WE SAT
TROUBLE FREE
AND HAPPY
WELL FED


FROM THE BRIDGE
THEY WERE SHOOTING FIREWORKS
FIREFLIES IN THE SKY
WHILE THE RIVER BABBLED ON

OUR MISSION WAS TO BLOW THE BRIDGE
AND PROTECT THE WOUNDED
THE ENEMY HAD A HABIT OF BAYONETING

BLOW THE BRIDGE
BEFORE THE REFUGEES CROSS
THE ENEMY WOULD MIX WITH THEM
AND INFILTRATE OUR LINES

ON THE BLANKET
OUR ONLY DECISION
WAS
SHOULD WE PUT MUSTARD ON THE HAM

I AM AN OLD MAN NOW
I’VE GROWN TIRED
OF OTHER OLD MEN
SENDING YOUNG MEN
TO SUFFER AND DIE
THERE SHOULD
THERE MUST BE ANOTHER WAY

ON THE BRIDGE CAME A MOTHER AND CHILD
I THOUGHT IT WAS A MOTHER AND CHILD
I WASN’T SURE
I HAD WOUNDED TO PROTECT
I BLEW THE BRIDGE

THE WIND BLEW THROUGH
MY TRUE LOVE’S HAIR
QUICKLY WE RAN TO THE GAZEBO
TO ESCAPE THE RAIN

WE WON THE BATTLE
THE WOUNDED WERE SAFE
THE BRIDGE WAS BLOWN

BUT WHEN I SEE MY WIFE
HOLDING HER GRANDCHILD
I DO NOT SLEEP EASY
WITH MY MEMORY


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 Vollmer

Were There Not Ten Healed

FORGIVE ME LORD
I HAVE BEEN GUILTY OF POOR THINKING
WHEN I RECOVERED
AT LEAST TO EXTENT
I CAN RECOVER
DID I SAY THANK YOU
I WISH I COULD SAY YES
BUT LIKE A MAN
WHOSE VACATION
IS MARRED BY RAIN
AND FEELS HIS VACATION RUINED
FORGETS THE BEAUTIFUL DAYS HE DID HAVE
MIGHT AS WELL NOT HAVE EXISTED

SO I THANK YOU LORD
FOR LIMITED RECOVERY
AND NO MIRACLES
EXCEPT THE DAILY BEAUTY OF EACH DAY

FORGIVE ME LORD
I HAVE NOT BEEN A GOOD SERVANT
OR GRATEFUL
AND MAY BE AGAIN
BUT FOR NOW
THANK YOU LORD



WERE THERE NOT TEN HEALED…

My Buddy Has a Code

MY BUDDY HAS A CODE IN THE NODE
HER NODE LOOKS LIKE A NIGHT OF DRINKING
SHE’S THE EAST COAST DISTRIBUTOR
OF MALAISE AND MAL AL LA TETE

SHE’S ON DRUGS THAT WOULD KILL A HORSE
THAT’S BECAUSE SHE’S GOT A COLT
THAT’S THE MANE REASON SHE GOT SICK

THIS FILLY IS ILLY
THAT’S KIND OF SILLY
HER NOSE IS WINNING THE RACE
IT’S RUNNING AT WHIM
OVER HER CHIN
IT’S PUDDLING ALL OVER THE FLOOR

SHE’D REALLY BE THANKY
FOR THE LOAN OF A HANKY
HERS ARE ALL USED UP
WOULD YOU BELIEVE
SHE’S USING HER SLEEVE
BUT SHE’S WEARING A SLEEVELESS BLOUSE

NOW LET ME PRATTLE
ABOUT HER CHEST RATTLE
THE COUGHING THE COUGHING THE COUGH
SHE SOUNDS JUST THE SAME
AS AN OLD FASHIONED TRAIN
CHUGGING CHUGGING AND CHUG

LET’S ALL LIGHT A CANDLE
DO THE CHICKEN BONE DANCE
ANYTHING TO MAKE HER WELL

I WISH HER WELL
IN HER MOMENT OF STRESS
SHE’S GOT A CODE IN THE NODE
MY PAL

FRANK A VOLLMER

The Boy is Back

HEAR YE HEAR YE HEAR YE
ALL COMELY MAIDENS ON THE EAST COAST
YOUR STUD MUFFIN HAS COME BACK
FROM A BRIEF HEGIRA TO THE WEST COAST
YOUR PRINCE CHARMING
YOUR DREAM BOAT
YOUR NIGHT MARE
WHO SAID THAT
YOUR TRUE SELF
I THOUGHT I'd THROTTLED YOU
NO SUCH LUCK
WELL BE SILENT AND LET ME TELL MY STORY

TELL YOUR STORY
You've GOT SO MANY
YOU COULD BUILD THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

NEVERTHELESS
I HAD A GREAT TIME IN CALIFORNIA
BUT I HAD TO TEACH MY CHILDREN A NEW LEXICON

THEY COMPLAINED ABOUT PUSHING MY WHEELCHAIR
SO MUCH DEAD WEIGHT
TO WHICH I TOOK UMBRAGE
TASTES GREAT WITH MUSTARD

WE AGREED IT SHOULD BE SO MUCH LIVE WEIGHT
AND NOT FROM A DEAD BUT A LIVE START
SUCH DIGNITY WAS ONLY APPROPRIATE
FOR MY POMPOSITY AND WEIGHT
I'm A BIG MAN OUT THERE
I'm A BIG MAN ANYWHERE

ONE CHILD ABANDONED ME IN A PARKING LOT
ONE CALLED ME A GREAT WHITE GORILLA
A GRANDCHILD CALLED ME GOOFY
I HAD A GREAT TIME

THE KING OF FRIVOLITY IS BACK
AND READY TO ROAR
TREMBLE WORLD TREMBLE

I THOUGHT ADVENT FOR A WHILE
WAS FOR ME
HOW HUMILIATING
TO FIND IT WAS NOT
AH WELL HUMILITY doesn't BECOME ME

Palm Sunday

Isn't it sad, that in a time when we face so many devastating problems – poverty, HIV/AIDS, war and conflict – that in our Communion we should be investing so much time and energy on disagreement about sexual orientation?" --Archbishop Tutu

I don't preach a social gospel; I preach the Gospel, period. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is concerned for the whole person. When people were hungry, Jesus didn't say, "Now is that political or social?" He said, "I feed you." Because the good news to a hungry person is bread.

--Archbishop Tutu



PALM SUNDAY


WHEN JESUS RODE INTO JERUSALEM
ON A DONKEY HE’D BORROWED FOR THE OCCASION

HEARING HOSANNAS
AND SEEING THE PALM BRANCHES STREWN IN HIS WAY

HE HEARD UNDERNEATH
THE SNICKERING OF SOME
TEACHER GET YOUR DISCIPLES UNDER CONTROL

IT’S UNLAWFUL TO BE JOYFUL

IF I SHOULD QUIET THEM
THE VERY STONES WOULD SING

BUT THE HOLY PEOPLE
THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS
THE GOOD PEOPLE
CALLED OUT
SEEING THE JOY OF THE CROWD
CRIED
IT’S OUT OF CONTROL
IT’S A STAMPEDE

WE WANT THEM WORRIED
ABOUT RELIGIOUS MINUTIAE
NOT THE FREEDOM HE TALKS ABOUT

HE MUST BE STOPPED
BEFORE ALL WE STAND FOR DIES

IT WOULD BE NICE TO SAY
THAT THE PROPHECY IS TRUE
THAT THE PHARISEES ARE DEAD
BUT THEY ARE STILL WITH US
WORRYING ABOUT MINUTIAE

WHILE CHILDREN STARVE
WHERE IS OUR SENSE OF VALUES

WHILE JESUS RIDES TO HIS DEATH
AND THE MOOD OF THE CROWD WILL CHANGE
YET HE RIDES TO BRING ABOUT OUR SALVATION
AND ASKS US TO MAKE HIS SACRIFICE WORTHWHILE



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