Tibet

THE FLAGS WERE SNAPPING A PEPPY RHYTHM
STACCATO LIKE GUNFIRE
IN MOMENTS OF LULL
LIKE A DIRGE

A DIRGE
FOR ANOTHER INNOCENT

THE COMPANIES
SPONSORING THE OLYMPICS
ARE WALKING A TIGHTROPE
BETWEEN CUSTOMERS
AND CHINA
COMPANIES WHO MAKE COKE
MACDONALD’S
BEER
CANDY BARS
LIGHT BULBS

SO SAYS A LEARNED COMMENTATOR
ON THE POLITICAL SCENE

THEY DON’T WANT TO ANTAGONIZE CHINA

BUT CHRIST SAYS

SIMPLY LET YOUR YES
BE YES,
AND YOU NO
BE NO
ANYTHING BEYOND THIS
COMES FROM THE EVIL ONE

AND AGAIN HE SAYS

SPEAK AND ACT
AS THOSE
WHO ARE GOING TO BE JUDGED
BY THE LAW
THAT GIVES FREEDOM

WE VAUNT
OUR CHRISTIANITY

IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK
THAT WE LIVE BY ITS RULES

OR DO PRAYER FLAGS
TO A DIFFERENT GOD
NOT COUNT


FRANK A VOLLMER