Coin

WHOSE IMAGE IS PRESSED UPON THE COIN

A MAN’S HE ANSWERS

HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH

THEY ARE ALL VALUED THE SAME

HOW CAN THAT BE

THEIR MAKER DETERMINES THEIR VALUE

GIVE TO CAESAR HIS DUE

BUT GIVE TO GOD FULL VALUE

ANYTHING WHICH DIMINISHES A MAN

IS WRONG

ANYTHING WHICH DEBASES THE COIN

IS WRONG

THE COIN’S IMAGE

IS AN ECHO OF GOD’S FACE

BUT WE ARE ALL THE IMPORTANT PEOPLE

THE REST OF THEM ARE RABBLE

YOU ARE ALL OF THE SAME VALUE

BUT…BUTBUT..BUTBUTBUT…

IS YOUR EYE JEALOUS

BECAUSE I AM GOOD

HOW DARE YOU CALL INFERIOR

WHAT I HAVE MADE

HOW DARE YOU

TRY TO CHEAPEN

ANOTHER’S COIN

IF YOU TRY

YOU ARE ONLY HOARDING DUST

AND YOUR WEALTH

IS ONLY SAND TRICKLING THROUGH YOUR FINGERS



FRANK A VOLLMER

Reformation

I’VE BEEN READING ABOUT THE REFORMATION



THE MORNING STARS THAT PRECEDED IT



LIKE HUS AND WYCLIFFE



ABOUT NOBLES WHO KEPT A HOUSE PRIEST

WHO AFTER DALLYING WITH THEIR MISTRESS

WOULD CONFESS

AND BE RIGHT AGAIN



ABOUT HOW MANY MOVEMENTS

BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE CHURCH

CALLED FOR ITS RETURN

TO EARLY POVERTY



SO THAT CHURCH LIFE

MIGHT MORE CLOSELY RESEMBLE

PEOPLE’S LIFE



AND BE TAUGHT THEM IN A LANGUAGE

THEY COULD UNDERSTAND



BUT AFTER THE BREAK

ARE WE ANY BETTER



DO WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR

AS OURSELVES

IF HE IS DIFFERENT



IN FAITH

RACE

NATIONALITY



DO WE PREACH LOVE

AND PRACTICE HATRED



IF CHRIST CAME

WOULD WE KILL HIM FOR BEING A JEW



AS WE KILLED SIX MILLION CHRISTS



AND THE CHURCH WAS SILENT



MILLIONS OF AFRICANS

ARE DYING NOW

SO FEW CARE



WE’D RATHER INVADE A COUNTRY FOR OIL



BUT WHEN CHURCH AND STATE ARE JOINED

WE HAVE LUTHER BETRAYING THE PEASANTS



OR COUNSELING THE PRINCE

TO PRACTICE ADULTERY

QUIETLY



AND FINALLY

AGREEING TO DIVORCE



WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BROKEN LANDSCAPE

OF THE CHURCH



EACH ONE LOOKING AT THE SHATTERED SHARD

OF THE MIRROR



SAYING

THEIRS IS THE TRUE REFLECTION



HOW MANY FACES HAS THE TRUTH



BUT ALMOST FROM THE BEGINNING

WE’VE HAD DISSENSION



WE’VE HAD

PAUL VERSUS PETER

JEW VERSUS GENTILE

PURE VERSUS IMPURE FOOD



WOULD NOT A BETTER LITMUS TEST BE

NOT WHAT WE BELIEVE

BUT WHAT WE DO



DOES KNOWING THE HYPOSTATIC UNION

MAKE ONE HOLY

IS IT NOT BETTER

TO LIVE THE WORD





AND WHAT IS THAT WORD

WRITTEN ON OUR HEARTS



LOVE GOD

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

THE REST IS COMMENTARY

FRANK A VOLLMER

For more poetry see our blog at http://camploony.blogspot.com/.

All Saints ((1 Corinthians 12) )

WHEN I WAS IN JAPAN
THERE WAS A WEEK LONG FESTIVAL IN AUGUST
CALLED OBON

WHICH IS A FESTIVAL FOR THE DEAD

DURING THAT TIME
THE JAPANESE BELIEVED THE DEAD CAME BACK
TO VISIT THEIR FAMILIES

THERE WERE PLACES SET AT THE TABLE FOR THEM.

EACH NIGHT THERE WERE BONFIRES LIT

AND EVERYONE WHO LIVED IN THE VILLAGE
DANCED AROUND THEM
BUT IT WAS A SPECIAL DANCE

BECAUSE THE STEPS RESEMBLED THE MOTIONS
PEOPLE MADE WHILE WORKING

SO THERE WERE MOTIONS FOR FISHING
OR DIGGING OR SEWING OR COOKING

THESE MOTIONS IMITATED THE LIVES OF THE DEAD
WHEN THEY WERE LIVING

I LEARNED THE DANCES.
AND MY JAPANESE FRIENDS AND I
WOULD DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

THEY WERE HAPPY THAT I WAS WITH THEM

BUT MORE ESPECIALLY THEY WERE HAPPY
THAT THEIR BELOVED DEAD WERE VISITING THEM


AT THE END OF OBON
CANDLES WERE PLACED ON TINY RAFTS
AND FLOATED OUT TO SEA

THEY WERE TO SHOW THE DEAD
BACK TO THEIR RESTING PLACE

IT WAS A TENDER BEAUTIFUL MOMENT

TO FEEL THEIR LOVE
FOR THEIR ANCESTORS

AND TO SEE THE THOUSANDS OF CANDLES
MAKING THE RIVER A GOLDEN PATH

ANY READER
OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
KNOWS THAT FESTIVALS OF THE DEAD
ARE COMMON TO ALL CULTURES.

MANY OF THE FESTIVALS ARE KIND AND GENTLE
AS IN JAPAN
THE DEAD ARE NOT FEARED.
IN OTHER CULTURES
THE DEAD ARE THE GHOSTS
THE GOBLINS THE WITCHES
THE THINGS TO BE FEARED IN THE NIGHT

IN EUROPE
AS THE PAGANS THAT LIVED THERE
WERE CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY
THEY BROUGHT WITH THEM
THIS FEAR OF THE DEAD

THE CHURCH TO COUNTERACT THIS FEAR
INITIATED THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS
FOR NO ONE WHO HAS DIED IN CHRIST
SHOULD BE FEARED


THERE ALSO EVOLVED
THE CONCEPT
OF THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
WHICH IS PART OF THE CREED
WE SAY ON SUNDAYS
SIMPLY PUT
THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS MEANS
THAT ALL PEOPLE SAVED BY CHRIST'S BLOOD
BELONG TO ONE BODY.



THOSE WHO REST IN HIS BOSOM
AND THOSE OF US
WHO ARE STILL PILGRIMS ON THE WAY

THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
ARE ONE BODY
ONE COMMUNION,
ONE COMMUNITY

REMNANTS OF FEAR OF THE DEAD
LINGER IN THE COSTUMES WE WEAR
ON HALLOWEEN
GHOSTS GOBLINS SATAN

HALLOWEEN MEANS ALL HALLOW'S EVE
OR THE NIGHT BEFORE ALL HALLOWS DAY

HALLOWED AS IN THE LORDS PRAYER
MEANS BLESSED
.
SO ANOTHER NAME
FOR THIS FEAST DAY
WOULD BE
ALL THE BLESSED ONE'S DAY

AND WHO ARE THESE BLESSED ONES.
THEY ARE OUR PARENTS
GRANDPARENTS, FRIENDS, RELATIVES,
SPOUSES,
SOMETIMES SADLY OUR CHILDREN


THEY ARE RULERS OF THE WORLD
THEY ARE THE POOR.
THEY ARE THE BRIGHT
THEY ARE THE ILLITERATE.
THEY ARE THE BOLD
THE BASHFUL
THE SAINT OCCASIONALLY
BUT MOST OFTEN THE SINNER
BUT THEY ARE ALL JOINED NOW
AND HELD SAFELY IN GOD'S HAND

THEY ARE YOU
AND I
WHEN OUR PILGRIMAGE ENDS

BUT BEFORE OUR PILGRIMAGE ENDS
WE MUST LIVE OUR LIFE.
WALK THE ROAD BEFORE US
IN SUNNY OR RAINY WEATHER,
ON FLAT GROUND OR UP A MOUNTAIN
OR EVEN DOWN INTO A DEEP VALLEY.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL WALK WITH FRIENDS
OR LOVED ONES

BUT EVEN WHEN WE WALK ALONE
THERE WILL BE TWO SETS OF FOOTPRINTS
BECAUSE JESUS IS WALKING THE ROAD WITH US,

AND JESUS GAVE US A CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR THAT ROAD
THEY ARE CALLED THE BEATITUDES.


AND THEY ARE

HOW HAPPY ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT
THE POOR IN SPIRIT
THOSE WHO DO NOT CRAVE
MONEY
POSSESSIONS
POWER
BUT USE
WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN THEM
GENEROUSLY

JESUS SAYS
HAPPY ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT,
THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

HAPPY THE GENTLE
THEY SHALL HAVE THE EARTH
FOR THEIR HERITAGE

HAPPY
THOSE WHO MOURN
THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED



HAPPY THOSE WHO HUNGER
AND THIRST FOR WHAT IS RIGHT
THEY SHALL BE SATISFIED

HAPPY THE MERCIFUL
THEY SHALL HAVE MERCY SHOWN THEM

HAPPY THE PURE IN HEART
THEY SHALL SEE GOD

HAPPY THE PEACEMAKERS
THEY SHALL BE CALLED
CHILDREN OF GOD

HAPPY THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED
IN THE CAUSE OF RIGHT
THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

IN THIS SEASON
THE SEASON OF AUTUMN
AS THE DAYS GROW SHORTER
AS THE COLORS OF THE TREES
GO FROM GOLD TO BROWN TO BARE
AND THE WIND HAS A BITE TO IT
THAT GOES THROUGH US,
WE ARE REMINDED
OF THE FINALITY OF OUR LIVES


IN THIS SEASON
THE SEASON OF AUTUMN
WE ARE ALSO ASKED
TO REMEMBER OUR DEAD

IN THE TV. SHOW "ARCHIE BUNKER"
AFTER EDITH HIS WIFE DIED,
AFTER THE FUNERAL
ARCHIE SPIES HER SLIPPER
UNDER THEIR BED AND HE CRIES
I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO SAY GOODBYE





.
WE ARE GIVEN THAT OPPORTUNITY THIS DAY
TO DO THAT
TO SAY WE ARE GRATEFUL
FOR THE LOVE THEY GAVE US
FOR THE EXAMPLE THEY GAVE US
FOR THE LAUGHTER AND THE TEARS
THEY GAVE US.

NOT THAT THEY NEED TO HEAR IT.
THERE IS NO PAIN WHERE THEY ARE.
BUT WE
NEED TO SAY IT.

THANK YOU
FOR ALL YOU MEANT TO ME.
THANK YOU
FOR ALL YOU MEAN TO ME.
MAY I BE WORTHY OF YOUR LOVE.

AND IF THERE SHOULD BE SOMEONE
WITH WHOM
THERE WERE ANGRY WORDS
NEVER CALLED BACK
NOW IS THE TIME
FOR FORGIVENESS
AGAIN NOT THAT THE DEAD NEED IT
BUT WE NEED IT.



WE NEED TO SEND FORGIVENESS
IT WILL GO FROM US
LIKE A CANDLE
ON A RIVER
MAKING THE RIVER GOLD.

FINALLY
THERE IS IN MOST OF OUR LIVES
THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED
HAVING LIVED A LIFE
THAT WE FEEL
COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
AND THAT THOUGHT
LIES UNEASY
ON OUR HEARTS

LET US REMEMBER
THAT GOD'S LOVE AND MERCY
IS FAR GREATER
THAN OUR ABILITY
TO COMPREHEND IT

ON THIS AUTUMN DAY
CLOSE TO WINTER
MAY GOD'S LOVE
KEEP US WARM.



AMEN

FRANK A VOLLMER

It Bothers Me

IT BOTHERS ME
WHEN PEOPLE USE THE BIBLE
TO FIND DIRE PREDICTIONS
ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD
WITH AN ANGRY JESUS COMING TO SMITE THE SINNER
AND INNOCENT ALIKE

IT BOTHERS ME
WHEN THEY SAY
THEY ARE USING A SECRET CODE
BASED ON NUMEROLOGY
ASTROLOGY
OR SOME OTHER OLOGY

IT BOTHERS ME
WHEN PEOPLE TALK
ABOUT SECRET KNOWLEDGE
AS IF WE HAD TO PASS A TEST
AND WOE THE FAILURE

IT BOTHERS ME
TO THINK
THAT PEOPLE THINK
THAT GOD IS MEAN
VINDICTIVE
PLAYS WITH THE WORLD
LIKE A LITTLE BOY
PLAYING WITH AN ANT HILL

WE SEARCH THE PROPHECIES
LOOKING FOR DOOM
WHEN MOST OF THEM
ARE LIKE A MOTHER
SCOLDING HER CHILD
PROMISING PUNISHMENT
IF HE DOESN’T BEHAVE

THE CHOICE IS THE CHILD’S
THE CHOICE IS OURS

AND IF AN UNHAPPY PARENT
MUST DISCIPLINE THE CHILD
ARE NOT BOTH
PARENT AND CHILD
UNHAPPY


FRANK A VOLLMER

Meaning What We Say

IF WE VOTE FOR A MAN
BECAUSE HE’S LIBERAL
CONSERVATIVE
THAT’S A MATTER OF CHOICE

IF WE VOTE FOR OR AGAINST A MAN
BECAUSE OF RACE
THAT’S A CONTRADICTION

WE EITHER MEAN THE LORD’S PRAYER
OUR FATHER

OR WE DON’T

WE CANNOT SAY OUR FATHER
AND BE PREJUDICED

IF WE JUDGE SOMEONE TO BE SOMEHOW LOWER
WE DO NOT HEAR CHRIST SAYING
WHAT SO EVER YOU DO TO THE LEAST OF MY BROTHERS
THAT YOU DO UNTO ME

CHRISTIANS GIVE RELIGION A BAD NAME
WHEN THEY DON’T PRACTICE THEIR BELIEFS

WHEN THEY JUDGE A NEIGHBOR UNFIT
WHEN THEY SEE A FACE
AND NOT THE PERSON

WHEN WERE YOU HUNGRY
NAKED
OR POOR
WHEN DID I DENY YOU HONOR

THAT YOU DID UNTO ME


FRANK A VOLLMER

Amazing Grace

IT WAS AN EARWORM
A MELODY
THAT PLAYED OFTEN IN HIS HEAD
IT WORE AWAY AT HIS HEART
LIKE WATER DRIPPING ON A ROCK
IT WAS A LAMENT

SPEAKING OF SEPARATION
AND LOSS

IT WAS A LAMENT
SUNG BY SLAVES
CHAINED IN THE HOLD
0F THE SHIP

HE KNEW WHAT THE SONG MEANT
THOUGH HE COULDN’T UNDERSTAND THE WORDS
IT WAS A LAMENT
A PENTATONIC LAMENT

IT APPEALED
TO THE CELT IN HIM

IF THEY COULD FEEL SUCH DEEP EMOTION
ARE THEY MUCH DIFFERENT FROM ME
DO THEY NOT BLEED WHEN HURT
AND CRY WHEN SAD
ARE THEY NOT WORTHY OF DIGNITY
RATHER THAN COWERING
FROM WHIPS
AND THE POINT OF A GUN

IS THERE SOME SUPERIORITY
THAT BEING CHRISTIAN
ALLOWS ME TO ENSLAVE PAGANS
DID CHRIST NOT DIE FOR THEM TOO

IT TOOK AWHILE
LIKE WATER DRIPPING ON A ROCK
BUT FINALLY GRACE BROKE THROUGH
AMAZING GRACE

AND SO HE WROTE THE SONG
AND GRAFTED IT
TO THE LAMENT

IT STARTED
BY BEING NICE TO THE SLAVES
IN HIS CARE
BETTER FOOD AND SANITATION
IT ENDED WITH ABOLISHMENT
OF SLAVERY

BUT THE NEED FOR GRACE
AMAZING GRACE
CONTINUES

FRANK A VOLLMER

Peter

THE FIRST WORDS OF JESUS
TO SIMON PETER WERE
COME BE MY DISCIPLE

HIS LAST WORDS TO PETER WERE
COME FOLLOW ME

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
BETWEEN THOSE TWO CHALLENGES
PETER NEVER FAILED TO FOLLOW

EVEN THOUGH HE OFTEN STUMBLED

IN MATTHEW
WE SEE PETER
IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

BRAVE ENOUGH
TO WIELD A SWORD
AND CUT OFF
THE EAR OF THE HIGH PRIEST'S SERVANT

BUT LATER

PETER
STANDING IN THE HIGH PRIEST'S COURTYARD
WITHERS UNDER THE SCORNING GAZE
OF A SERVANT GIRL

WITHERS TO THE POINT
THAT HE SWEARS
THAT HE DOES NOT KNOW THE MAN

PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAITH
WILL NEVER ASK
WHO WILL GO UP TO HEAVEN
TO BRING CHRIST DOWN

NEITHER WILL THEY ASK,
WHO WILL GO DOWN
INTO THE WORLD OF THE DEAD
TO RAISE HIM TO LIFE

ALL WHO ARE ACCEPTABLE
BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH
SIMPLY SAY

THE MESSAGE IS AS NEAR AS YOUR MOUTH
OR YOUR HEART

THE MESSAGE THAT GOD WALKS AMONG US
LAUGHS WITH US
CRIES WITH US
TRIES TO INSPIRE US
SO THAT THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
MIGHT BE BETTER


THIS PETER KNEW
SIMPLE IMPULSIVE PETER
WHO AT THE VOICE OF JESUS
LEAPED FROM THE BOAT
TO WALK ON WATER

WHO WALKED ON WATER
UNTIL HE THOUGHT
HE WAS DOING IT HIMSELF

THEN HE SANK
AND CRIED
LORD SAVE ME

BUT JESUS REACHED DOWN
AS HE DID SO MANY TIMES WITH PETER

AS HE DOES SO MANY TIMES WITH US
AND SAVES US

AND WE ARE ASKED
TO BE WILLING
TO LEAP FROM THE BOAT IN FAITH
KNOWING GOD WILL SUSTAIN US

AND BRING US SAFELY HOME


FRANK A VOLLMER

A Discrepancy

BILLIONS FOR BANKS
PITTANCE FOR THE POOR
INFIRM
OR ELDERLY

BUT BILLIONS FOR BANKS

THIS IN A NATION
THAT VAUNTS ITSELF
AS FOLLOWING
A JUDEO-CHRISTIAN TRADITION

A TRADITION
WHERE GOD SAYS

I AM FATHER OF THE POOR
THE HOMELESS
THE STRANGER IN YOUR MIDST

I AM WITH THE HUNGRY CHILD
THOSE CHEATED OUT OF GOD’S PROMISE

I DO NOT SEE EQUALITY IN MY PEOPLE
BUT PRIMACY OF PLACE

I SEE RICHES AT THE TABLE
AND LEAVINGS FOR LAZARUS


FRANK A VOLLMER

Equal Wages, Unequal Work

BECAUSE NO ONE HAS HIRED US

IT COULD BE IMMIGRANT LABOR
OR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
OR UNTRAINED LABOR
BUT THE LANDOWNER
AT THE LAST HOUR
SAID
COME WORK FOR ME

AND EVERYMAN
AT PAY TIME
RECEIVED THE SAME
WAGES

NOW THE STORY WAS NOT TOLD
AS AN EXAMPLE OF LABOR MANAGEMENT
OR HOW TO FAIL IN BUSINESS

BUT ALL ARE INVITED
TO COME INTO THE VINEYARD

SOME
WILL BE IN THE VINEYARD
UNDER THE SUN
ALL DAY

SOME
PART OF THE DAY

SOME WILL COME
WHEN EVENING CHILL
IS IN THE AIR

AND THE MASTER SAYS
IS YOUR EYE EVIL
BECAUSE I AM GOOD

IT DOESN’T SOUND FAIR
AND IT ISN’T
IN HUMAN TERMS

BUT GOD WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND
THAT HE WILL LEAVE
THE NINETY NINE SAFE SHEEP
AND SEEK THE LOST ONE
SO GREAT IS HIS DESIRE
THAT ALL BE SAFE

IT WOULD BE WELL FOR US TO REMEMBER
THAT WE LABOR NOT FOR WAGES
OR GOD’S APPROVAL

THE REWARD IS A GIFT FROM GOD
AND THE REWARD IS THE SAME FOR ALL

WE SHOULD REJOICE WITH THE SHEPHERD
AT THE FINDING OF THE LOST SHEEP


FRANK A VOLLMER

Lilies of the Field

THE STORY GOES
THERE WAS A DONKEY
TETHERED BETWEEN
TWO PILES OF HAY

HE STARTED FOR ONE
THEN CHANGED HIS MIND
THE OTHER LOOKED BETTER

THE CHANGED HIS MIND AGAIN
AND AGAIN
AGAIN
AND AGAIN

HE WORE A DITCH
BETWEEN THE PILES
AND DIED IN IT
HUNGRY

POOR DUMB DONKEY
TO LET DESIRE
RULE HIS LIFE
TILL DEATH

POOR DUMB US
WHEN WE DO THE SAME

OH I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT
THE NORMAL DESIRES
FOR LOVE
FOOD
SHELTER
MEANINGFUL WORK
AND REWARD

WHAT I MEAN IS DESIRE THAT WARPS
THAT TWIST A PERSON’S VALUE
THAT
I WANT
SUPERSEDES
THAT BLINDS HIM
TO THE NEED OF OTHERS

LIKE A GENERAL
SURVEYING A BATTLE FIELD
WITH ALL THE DEAD
AND DESTRUCTION
WITH A VICTORIOUS SMILE
SAYS
LOOK WHAT I HAVE DONE

I’M TEMPTED TO QUOTE
THE LILIES OF THE FIELD
IF WE THINK
GOD WILL PROVIDE
HE’S DONE A BAD JOB

BUT IS NOT GOD’S POWER THWARTED
BY MAN’S DESIRE
FOR POWER
THE NEED TO HAVE IT AT ALL COSTS

WE SUPPLANT GOD BY THINKING
I
AM THE GREAT
I AM

I THINK GOD WILL PROVIDE
IF WE LET HIM
IF WE DO NOT BLOCK THE SUN
SO THAT LILIES FADE
AND BLOW AWAY


FRANK A VOLLMER

Blessed Are . . .

THE OLD MAN PUT THE BIBLE DOWN
AND COUNTED THE PICTURES ON THE WALL

AND STRAIGHTENED THE BED AND DRESSER TOP
THOUGH NOTHING WAS AWRY

HE PACED THE FLOOR AND COUNTED THE STEPS
AND COUNTED THE PICTURES ON THE WALL

GREW TIRED OF SILENCE AND TURNED THE RADIO ON
GREW TIRED OF NOISE
AND TURNED IT OFF

AND COUNTED THE MINUTES
AND PICTURES ON THE WALL

HE PICKED UP THE BIBLE AND CHECKED AGAIN
A BEATITUDE FOR THE POOR OR SAD OR LOWLY
BUT NONE FOR THE LONELY
NONE FOR THE LONELY

THE OLD MAN PUT THE BIBLE DOWN
AND COUNTED THE PICTURES ON THE WALL

STRAIGHTENED THE BED AND DRESSER TOP

TURNED ON THE RADIO TURNED IT OFF

AND COUNTED THE PICTURES ON THE WALL

The Great Wave

THEY AROSE IN DARKNESS
TO SAVE THE LIGHT

HOW MANY THINGS BEGIN IN THE DARK

SOME FOUND BREAKFAST WARM ON THE TABLE
SOME FOUND BREAKFAST COLD

SOME LEFT A HOME WARMED BY LOVE
SOME LEFT A HOME…

THEY'D FISH ALL DAY AND IF THEY WERE LUCKY
THEY'D CLEAN THE FISH BY TWILIGHT

THEY'D ROWED OUT SINGING SONGS
BAWDY SONGS
ROWING SONGS
NONSENSE SONGS
SONGS TO KEEP THE OARS GLISTENING
IN TIME TO THE BEAT

THE SEA WAS FLAT

THE CATCH WAS GOOD

THEY WERE STARTING HOME

WHEN THE SEA ROSE TOWERING ABOVE THEM
IN FEAR THEY WONDERED
WHAT GOD THEY HAD OFFENDED

FOR PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO KNOW THE TRUTH
WE HAVEN'T WANDERED FAR FROM THAT THOUGHT
WHAT GOD HAVE WE OFFENDED

WHEN THEY SAW THE WAVE
DID THEY RUE THE LOST CARGO
OR MOMENTS OF LOVE
PASSED BY AND IGNORED

IT ROSE OVER THEM
PASSED OVER THEM
LEAVING DEBRIS AND BROKEN BODIES

BODIES FALLING THROUGH THE SEA
ARMS OVER THEIR HEAD

THEIR HANDS FLUTTERING
AS IF THEY WERE TRYING TO SAY
GOODBYE


FRANK A VOLLMER

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

Hagar

I DO NOT KNOW IF HAGAR
WAS SINNER
OR SAINT
CERTAINLY
ABRAM
AND SARAI
WEREN’T

MOST LIKELY
LIKE MOST OF US
THEY WERE
BOTH

I DO KNOW SHE WAS AN ABUSED WOMAN

WITHOUT HER CONSENT
SHE WAS A WOMB FOR ABRAM’S SEED

SHE WAS A SLAVE
A WALKING TOOL
HER OPINION DIDN’T COUNT

LIFTED OUT OF ANONYMITY
SHE STRUTTED
IN HER NEW IMPORTANCE
AND DISPLEASED HER MISTRESS

SARAI TREATED HER SO HARSHLY
SHE RAN AWAY

THE LORD FOUND HER NEAR WATER
THE LORD ALWAYS FINDS US IN WATER

I HAVE HEARD YOUR CRY
AND THE CHILD’S

YOU WILL NAME HIM ISHMAEL
MEANING
THE LORD WILL HEAR





HAGAR SAID
I WILL CALL YOU
EL-ROI

FOR I HAVE SEEN GOD
AND YET I LIVE

AT GOD’S REQUEST
SHE RETURNED TO SERVITUDE
TO RAISE HER SON

FOURTEEN YEARS LATER
SARAH’S ISAAC WAS BORN
HER JOY
HER LAUGHTER

BUT TROUBLE STARTED AGAIN

THERE WAS JEALOUSY
BETWEEN THE TWO WOMEN

SO HAGAR GIVEN
BREAD AND WATER
WAS EXILED

WHEN THE WATER WAS GONE
SHE PLACED THE CHILD UNDER A BUSH
SO SHE WOULD NOT HEAR ITS DEATH CRIES

BUT GOD HEARD
THE CRIES OF THE CHILD

THE SOBS OF THE MOTHER

AND BROUGHT WATER

HAGAR THOUGHT
NO MATTER
IF THE WORLD BRINGS ME LOW
OR MY OWN BEHAVIOR DOES

GOD DOES HEAR MY CRIES

AND SHE PRAYED

I LOVE THE LORD
FOR HE HEARD
MY VOICE

HE HEARD
MY CRY FOR MERCY

JUST AS I AM

HE BROUGHT ME WATER


FRANK A VOLLMER

Philip and Thomas

THERE IS A CHILDHOOD POEM ABOUT CHRISTMAS
THAT SAYS


THERE WAS A KNIGHT OF BETHLEHEM
WHOSE WEALTH WAS TEARS AND SORROWS
HIS MEN AT ARMS WERE LITTLE LAMBS,
HIS TRUMPETERS WERE SPARROWS

JESUS HAS SUMMONED HIS DISCIPLES
TO GATHER WITH HIM
FOR THE PASSOVER

FOR A MEAL

A MEAL
THAT WE HAVE COME TO CALL
THE LAST SUPPER

JESUS HAS WASHED THEIR FEET

JUDAS HAS LEFT TO BETRAY HIM

PETER
HAS DECLARED HIS LOYALTY
EVEN ONTO DEATH

AND JESUS HAS TOLD HIM
THAT BEFORE THE ROOSTER CROWS
TO BEGIN THE DAY
HE WILL HAVE DENIED HIM THREE TIMES

THERE WAS A KNIGHT OF BETHLEHEM
WHOSE WEALTH WAS TEARS AND SORROWS
HIS MEN AT ARMS WERE LITTLE LAMBS,
HIS TRUMPETERS WERE SPARROWS


NOW BEGINS THE LAST DISCOURSE
THE LAST SERMON
THE LAST CHANCE
BEFORE HIS DEATH
FOR JESUS
TO CONVINCE HIS FOLLOWERS
WHO HE WAS
AND WHAT HIS MESSAGE WAS

LOOKING BACK THROUGH HISTORY
WE MARVEL
HOW DUMB THEY WERE
HOW DENSE THEY WERE

LOOKING FORWARD TO NOW
WE WONDER
HOW DUMB WE ARE
HOW DENSE WE ARE

ENTER NOW IN OUR PLAY
ABOUT THE LAST SUPPER

ENTER NOW
THOMAS AND PHILIP
THE QUESTIONERS

THE DIALOGUE GOES LIKE THIS

THOMAS SAID TO HIM
LORD,
WE DON'T KNOW
WHERE YOU ARE GOING,
SO HOW CAN WE KNOW THE WAY?"
JESUS ANSWERED
I AM THE WAY
THE TRUTH
AND THE LIFE

NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER
EXCEPT THROUGH ME
IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME,
YOU WOULD KNOW MY FATHER AS WELL.



FROM NOW ON,
YOU DO KNOW HIM
AND HAVE SEEN HIM."




PHILIP SAID
LORD
SHOW US THE FATHER
AND THAT WILL BE ENOUGH FOR US
JESUS ANSWERED:
PHILIP
DON'T YOU KNOW ME

EVEN AFTER
I HAVE BEEN WITH YOU
SUCH A LONG TIME

PHILIP
ANYONE WHO HAS SEEN ME
HAS SEEN THE FATHER

NOW JOHN
USES THOMAS AND PHILIP
TO BE A VOICE
TO SHOW
WHAT THE THOUGHTS OF THE PEOPLE WERE
WHEN JESUS WAS TEACHING

TO BE A VOICE FOR ALL THOSE
WHO FOUND HIS TEACHING HARD
THEN


TO BE A VOICE FOR ALL THOSE
WHO FIND HIS TEACHING HARD
NOW


THERE WAS A KNIGHT OF BETHLEHEM
WHOSE WEALTH WAS TEARS AND SORROWS
HIS MEN AT ARMS WERE LITTLE LAMBS,
HIS TRUMPETERS WERE SPARROWS

WHAT WAS THAT HARD MESSAGE

IT WAS
THAT WHEN YOU LOOKED AT JESUS
YOU WERE LOOKING AT GOD

IN THE TIME OF JESUS
TO LOOK AT GOD
WAS INVITING DESTRUCTION

REMEMBER WHAT GOD
TOLD MOSES ON THE MOUNTAIN
YOU SHALL SEE MY BACK
BUT MY FACE YOU SHALL NOT SEE

WHAT JESUS WAS SAYING
WAS THAT GOD
WAS NOT TO BE FOUND
ON SOME MYSTIC MOUNTAIN
OR TRAPPED IN A TEMPLE
TO BE APPEASED BY SACRIFICE

WHAT JESUS WAS SAYING
WAS THAT GOD
HAD BECOME DOMESTICATED
HE WAS LIVING AN ORDINARY LIFE
AMONG MEN

IT IS JESUS WORKING
WHO GIVES WORK DIGNITY

IT IS JESUS WEEPING
OVER LAZARUS
THAT GIVES GRIEF
JOY
FRIENDS
AND FAMILY MEANING

IT IS JESUS DIPPING BREAD IN OIL
AND FEEDING JUDAS
THAT SHOWS A GOD
THAT KNOWS PAIN AND SORROW
AND WHAT BETRAYAL FEELS LIKE

IT IS JESUS
LABORING TIME AND AGAIN
TO EDUCATE HIS FOLLOWERS
WITH LITTLE SUCCESS
THAT GIVES MOTHERS OF FAMILIES MEANING

IT MEANS TAKING CARE OF THE WORLD
BECAUSE GOD LIVES HERE




IT MEANS TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER
BECAUSE WE ARE IMPORTANT
BECAUSE GOD MADE US IMPORTANT
WHEN HE BECAME
ONE OF US

THERE WAS A KNIGHT OF BETHLEHEM
WHOSE WEALTH WAS TEARS AND SORROWS
HIS MEN AT ARMS WERE LITTLE LAMBS,
HIS TRUMPETERS WERE SPARROWS


AND HE COMES WITH A MESSAGE
HE GIVES TO EACH OF US TO TEACH

THE MESSAGE
THAT GOD IS
HE LOVES
HE CARES
HE WALKS AMONG US

THERE ARE NO CASTAWAY PEOPLE

THIS IS WHAT PETER MEANS
WHEN HE WRITES

BUT YOU ARE A CHOSEN PEOPLE,
A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD,
A HOLY NATION,
A PEOPLE BELONGING TO GOD
,
THAT YOU MAY DECLARE
THE PRAISES OF HIM
WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS
INTO HIS WONDERFUL LIGHT

ONCE
YOU WERE NOT A PEOPLE,
BUT NOW
YOU ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD;

ONCE
YOU HAD NOT RECEIVED MERCY,
BUT NOW YOU HAVE RECEIVED MERCY.



AND THAT MERCY
THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED
WE ARE ASKED TO PASS ON.

WE ARE ASKED
TO DO THIS BECAUSE
JESUS
LOVED THIS WORLD
SO MUCH HE CAME TO LIVE HERE
AND TO DIE FOR IT

SO JESUS IS ASKING US
AND IS ALWAYS ASKING US

LITTLE LAMBS
WILL YOU HELP ME

LITTLE SPARROWS
WILL YOU HELP ME

WILL YOU HELP ME
BUILD A BETTER WORLD

AND I SHALL BE THE CORNER STONE
THE STONE THAT THE BUILDERS REJECTED

AMEN

Thomas

MY HEART SAYS
I WOULD HAVE LIKED
TO HAVE BEEN
LIKE MARY MAGDALENE
WHO LOVED JESUS WITHOUT QUESTION

WHO RAN FROM THE TOMB
WITH SUCH EXCITEMENT
THE APOSTLES THOUGHT HER HYSTERICAL

I WOULD HAVE
LIKED TO HAVE BEEN
LIKE MARY

BUT MY ENGINEERS HEAD
SAYS I WOULD HAVE BEEN
LIKE THOMAS

MY HEAD SAYS
IT MUST BE PROVEN IN THE LAB
IN THE WIND TUNNEL
BY TEST FLYING THE AIRPLANE

IT IS THE WAY OF MEN TO MEASURE

THE BOOKKEEPER ADDS HIS NUMBERS
THE SHOPPER FIGURES COST

THE STOREKEEPER ADDS PROFIT
THE LAWYER ASSESSES LOSS

THE MOTHER COUNTS THE MEALS
THE TRAVELER WONDERS HOW FAR

WE MEASURE THINGS AS MEN

EVEN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL POEMS
IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
SPEAKS OF LOVE THIS WAY



HOW DO I LOVE THEE?
LET ME COUNT THE WAYS

I LOVE THEE TO THE DEPTH
AND BREADTH
AND HEIGHT
MY SOUL CAN REACH
WHEN FEELING OUT OF SIGHT
FOR THE ENDS OF BEING
AND IDEAL GRACE

MEN MEASURE
PERHAPS
IT'S BECAUSE
BY SIN
DEATH
CAME INTO THE WORLD
AND THE DAYS OF OUR LIFE
ARE LIMITED

SO WE MEASURE
EVERYTHING
AGAINST THE FINAL
NIGHTFALL

I WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THOMAS

AND JESUS SAYS
THAT'S ALL RIGHT
I LIKE YOU
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

I WOULD HAVE YOU BETTER
BUT I LOVE YOU
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE


I WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THOMAS







I WOULD HAVE LIKED
TO HAVE BEEN
LIKE MARY MAGDALENE
WHO LOVED JESUS PASSIONATELY
WITHOUT QUESTIONS

BUT LISTEN TO WHAT HE SAYS TO HER
IN HIS HASTE TO BE WITH US
HE SAYS TO HER
DO NOT CLING TO ME
BUT GO TELL MY DISCIPLES
I AM COMING"

HE WAS EAGER
TO BE WITH THE ONES
WHO NEEDED HIS LOVE
THE EMPTY
BROKEN
HURTING PEOPLE

MARY KNEW SHE WAS LOVED
THE OTHERS STILL WERE IN DARKNESS
HE HAD TO BE WITH THEM

WITH PETER WHO BETRAYED HIM
WITH THOMAS WHO DOUBTED HIM
WITH ALL THOSE WHO HAD RUN AWAY

GOD ALWAYS SEEMS TO PICK
BROKEN PEOPLE FOR HIS WORK

HE PICKED MOSES WHO STUTTERED
DAVID AN ADULTERER AND MURDERER
JACOB WHO STOLE AND CHEATED
NOAH WHO DRANK AND GOT DRUNK

GOD'S ALMOST PEOPLE

HE SAYS
WITH YOU I WANT TO BE
MY ALMOST PEOPLE




WHY GOD
WOULD YOU WANT TO BE WITH US

WE ARE BETRAYERS
DOUBTERS
IMPERFECT
ALMOST PEOPLE
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO BE WITH US

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU HE SAYS

IN THE LANGUAGE OF CHILDREN WE SAY
HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE US GOD
SHOW US HOW MUCH YOU LOVE US

IN THE LANGUAGE OF CHILDREN
HE REPLIES
THIS MUCH (EXTEND ARMS)


FRANK A VOLLMER

Emmaus

THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT HIS EYES
LIKE A SOLDIER OFF TO WAR
SAYING GOODBYE TO LOVED ONES
OR A SAILOR OFF 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
TO BE THE FIRST BORN OF THE DEAD

SO YOU COULD LEARN
TO LOVE HIM
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

Unicorns' Turned Down Day

SOMETIMES UNICORNS
LIKE TO LIE IN THE GRASS
AND BE LAZY

FLICKING THEIR TAILS IDLY
RUBBING THEIR BACKS ON THE GROUND
BECAUSE THEY WANT TO

OR CHASE BUTTERFLIES

OR ENTERTAIN ROBINS ON THEIR HORNS

SNIFF FLOWERS AND SNORT

JUST BE QUIET WITH THEMSELVES

LIE TOGETHER WITH THE ONE THEY LOVE
A QUIET, TURNED DOWN DAY

TURN OFF THE MOTOR
TURN OFF THE MIND

BE CONTENT

THE GARDEN WILL HEAL THE BLISTERS
OF THE JOURNEY THEIR WORLD HAS SHRUNK
TO ONE'S HEAD RESTING ON THE OTHER'S NECK

IT IS ENOUGH
IT SAYS IT ALL

AND THE SOUND OF THE BEES FILL THE AFTERNOON


FRANK A VOLLMER

Birthday

ON THE DAY THE CHURCH BEGAN
THE APOSTLES WERE GATHERED IN THE UPPER ROOM
TO CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF SHABUOTH

IT WAS A HARVEST FESTIVAL
IT WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF OUR THANKSGIVING DAY

THEY FELT THEY HAD LITTLE TO CELEBRATE

JESUS HAD GONE HOME
LEAVING THEM FEELING LIKE ORPHANS

BUT THEY WERE LOYAL JEWS
THEY OBSERVED THE LAW

THE LAW SAID
THANK GOD GOOD TIMES AND BAD
ESPECIALLY ON THIS DAY
FIFTY DAYS AFTER PASSOVER
FOR IT COMMEMORATED THE FIRST HARVEST
THEY HAD AS FREE MEN

BUT PETER WAS PUZZLED
AS HE OFTEN WAS

AS THE OTHERS OFTEN WERE

FOR JESUS HAD SAID TO THEM BEFORE HE LEFT
JESUS HAD SAID
WHILE HE WAS EATING WITH THEM

I GIVE YOU THIS COMMAND
THAT YOU DO NOT LEAVE JERUSALEM

BUT WAIT FOR THE GIFT MY FATHER PROMISED
WHICH YOU HAVE HEARD ME SPEAK ABOUT

JOHN BAPTIZED YOU WITH WATER
BUT IN A FEW DAYS YOU WILL BE BAPTIZED
WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

AND PETER THOUGHT
I AM WELL NAMED ROCK

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE MEANT

AFTER THREE YEARS AND HIS LEAVING
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE MEANT

AND SO THOUGHT ALL THE OTHER APOSTLES

GATHERED TOGETHER
IN THE UPPER ROOM
TO GIVE THANKS FOR THE HARVEST
WHICH WAS
YET TO COME

Noah's Butterflies

A RAVEN AND A DOVE
SENT BY NOAH OUT
TO CHECK THE WATER'S EBBING

ONE STAYED
THE OTHER RETURNED
OLIVE BRANCHES BEARING

SO NOAH SENT THE ANIMALS OUT

TWO BY TWO HE SENT THEM
THE LAST RELEASED
WAS FROM A BOX
WHERE TWO CATERPILLARS HAD LAIN
SLEEPING

OUT FLEW TWO BUTTERFLIES
RAINBOW COLORED DAINTY

THEIR FLIGHT LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN HOPPING
THEY FLEW TO WHERE NOAH STOOD
HIS ARM AROUND HIS LOVED ONE
AND PERCHED UPON EXTENDED FINGERS

NOAH WAS MOVED TO SAY
ALL, ALL IS NEW
THE RAINBOW THAT ARCS
THE STILL WET EARTH
IS GOD'S SIGN OF PEACE
AFTER STORM

BUT THE BUTTERFLY SAYS
THAT LIFE CAN BE BEAUTIFUL
THAT LOVE TRANSFORMS

WITH THAT THE BUTTERFLIES FLEW
HIS TO HER SHOULDER
HERS TO HIS

AND SO BEJEWELED
THEY DESCENDED TO A NEW LAND
A LAND WHERE HISTORY HELD NO SWAY
A LAND FULL OF PROMISE

WHERE LIONS AND TIGERS SLEPT AT PEACE
AND THE DRAGONS' ROAR
WAS MUSIC TO THE EARS

FRANK A VOLLMER