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

Black Pheasant

WE WERE SURPRISED WHEN WE FOUND IT
THE CARBONIZED REMAINS OF THE PHEASANT
THE FIRE HAD BEEN INTENSE
BUT SHORT LIVED
CREATED BY THE STORM
EXTINGUISHED BY THE STORM
BUT THE INTERIM HAD BEEN EXTREME
FED BY THE DEBRIS OF THE DROUGHT

SO REAL
IT LOOK LIFELIKE
EXCEPT FOR THE COLOR
IT LOOKED ASLEEP

BUT WHEN WE KNELT TO TOUCH IT
IT FELL APART
AND FOUR CHICKS
RAN OUT FROM UNDER

PERHAPS
BECAUSE
WE HAD SEEN ENOUGH OF DEATH THAT DAY
WE WERE MOVED TO TEARS

SHE COULD HAVE FLOWN
SHE COULD HAVE SAVED HERSELF
SHE STAYED
GATHERED HER BROOD
UNDER HER WINGS
AND BROUGHT THEM THROUGH THE FIRE

WE GATHERED THE CHICKS
THEY WOULD SURVIVE

REST WELL MOTHER

YOU HAVE TAUGHT US
WELL

FRANK A VOLLMER

Doves

DOVES

THE SHIPS IN BIBLE DAYS
ALWAYS SAILED ALONG THE SHORE
IN SIGHT OF LAND

THEY WERE AFRAID
TO GO OUT INTO THE DEEP

THEIR FEAR
WAS TO BE BLOWN OFF COURSE
DRIVEN OUT TO SEA
AND SEE NO LAND

BUT AS MEN WHO KNEW THE SEA
THEY CARRIED DOVES

THEY'D RELEASE THEM

AND IF THEY FOUND NO LAND
THEY'D RETURNED TO THEIR MATE

IF THEY FOUND LAND
THEY'D RETURN WITH GREENERY
IN THEIR CROP
AS A TREAT FOR THEIR MATE

AND THE SAILORS WOULD KNOW
FROM THE FLIGHT OF THE DOVE
WHERE LAND
AND SAFETY WERE
AND THE GREEN GROWTH OF HOPE

FITTING THAT THE SPIRIT
SHOULD BE SHOWN AS A DOVE
SHOWING US THEY WAY
WHEN WE'RE LOST A SEA

FRANK A VOLLMER

Second Lent

TODAY AS YOU KNOW
IS THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
IN TODAY'S GOSPEL
WE HEAR THE PHARISEES
TELL JESUS
THAT HEROD THE RULER
WANTED TO KILL HIM

THEY DID THIS FOR TWO REASONS
FIRST JESUS WAS PREACHING IN GALILEE
WHERE HEROD WAS RULER
AND HE WAS ATTRACTING CROWDS
WITH HIS TEACHINGS

AND HIS TEACHINGS
WERE THREATENING
THE PRIVILEGED POSITION
OF THE PHARISEES

SO THEY WOULD LIKE HIM
TO GO ELSEWHERE
TO GO ANYWHERE AND PREACH
BUT LEAVE THEM ALONE

SECOND THEY HOPED
THAT JESUS WOULD GO TO JERUSALEM
AND GET CAUGHT UP
IN THE POLITICAL INTRIGUE
THAT WAS RAMPANT IN THE CITY
AND AS A RESULT
THE ROMANS WOULD KILL HIM

THE HEROD
THE PHARISEES WERE TALKING ABOUT
WAS THE SAME HEROD
THAT HAD PUT
JOHN THE BAPTIST TO DEATH

SO THE THREAT OF DEATH WAS VERY REAL



BUT JESUS ANSWERS
TELL THAT FOX
THAT I WILL CAST OUT DEMONS
AND WILL HEAL PEOPLE
TODAY
TOMORROW
AND ON THE THIRD DAY

WHICH IS THE HEBREW WAY
OF SAYING
I WILL STAY HERE
UNTIL I ACCOMPLISH MY PURPOSE

IT IS ALMOST AN ECHO
OF LUTHER
SAYING HERE I STAND
I CANNOT BE ELSEWHERE

WHAT JESUS
IS SAYING TO HEROD
AND TO ALL THE HERODS
OF THE WORLD
HERE I STAND
TO BRING SALVATION
YOU CANNOT CHASE ME AWAY
HERE I STAND
LIKE A SIGN
POINTING THE WAY

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT SIGNS

A WOMAN DRIVES HER CAR
ALONG THE HIGHWAY
SHE SEES THE MANY SIGNS
THAT EDGE OUR ROADS
SCHOOL AHEAD
GO SLOW
THE NEXT CITY - WEST OSSIPEE
THE MILEAGE 12 MILES
LITTLE CAESAR'S PIZZA-PIZZA

SHE SEES WASH
HANGING ON THE LINE
SHE SEES OTHER CARS IN FRONT
OR IN THE CAR MIRROR
OCCASIONALLY
WHEN THE LIGHT IS RIGHT
SHE SEES
HER OWN FACE
REFLECTED IN THE WINDSHIELD

SHE IS DRIVING BY A CLIFF
SET BACK FROM THE ROAD
IT IS A STEEP CLIFF
SO STEEP
THAT WHEN SHE SEES THE SIGN
SHE WONDERS
HOW ANYONE COULD CLIMB
THE CLIFF'S FACE
AND PUT IT THERE

THE SIGN SAYS
JESUS SAVES
WRITTEN IN LARGE CLUMSY LETTERS
WITH WHITE PAINT
THAT TRICKLES DOWN
FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE LETTERS
AS IF THE LETTERS
WERE FALLING APART
OR MELTING
OR MAYBE CRYING

THE SIGN SAYS
JESUS SAVES
THAT'S ALL
ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER SIGNS
OF THE HIGHWAY
LIKE
RIGHT TURN ONLY
TOLL BOOTH AHEAD
THE SPEED LIMIT
AND DESTINATIONS

ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER SIGNS
WAS THIS SIGN
JESUS SAVES

AND THE WOMAN
LIKE MOST OF US
FELT AWKWARD WITH THE SIGN
FELT AN INTERNAL SQUIRM
AT THE MESSAGE
EVEN THOUGH
LIKE MOST OF US
SHE KNEW IT TO BE TRUE


SHE FELT UNCOMFORTABLE
WITH THE SIGN
AND ITS' PUBLIC MESSAGE

LIKE SAYING GRACE IN PUBLIC

GOD ONLY KNOWS
WHAT KIND OF PERSON
MUST HAVE CLIMBED UP THERE
WITH A BUCKET
AND A BRUSH
TO SPLASH THE MESSAGE ON THE CLIFF:
MAYBE MAN
MAYBE WOMAN
MAYBE YOUNG OR OLD
DRUNK OR SOBER
IN DAYLIGHT
OR IN THE DARK

GOD ONLY KNOWS
WHAT DROVE THE PAINTER
TO PAINT THIS SIGN;
SIN OR REDEMPTION
JOY OR REMORSE
POSSIBLY A DARE
POSSIBLY A PRAYER


WHAT EVER THE REASON
IN OUR STRANGE TIMES
AMONG PEOPLE LIKE US
AMONG PEOPLE JUST LIKE US
AMONG US
THE EFFECT
OF THE MESSAGE ON THE HILLSIDE
THAT JESUS SAVES
MAKES US SQUIRM

AND I THINK
WE SQUIRM
BECAUSE WE ARE EMBARRASSED
AND WE ARE EMBARRASSED
FOR MANY REASONS

EMBARRASSED
PERHAPS
BECAUSE THE WORDS
REMIND US OF OLD TIME RELIGION
OF SHOUT AND HOLLER
OF PULPIT POUNDING
OF GOD'S GONNA GET YOU


WE SQUIRM
BECAUSE THERE IS SOMETHING
IN THE NAME
JESUS ITSELF
THAT EMBARRASSES US
WHEN IT STANDS
NAKED
AND ALONE

JUST JESUS
BY ITSELF
WITHOUT A TITLE
LIKE A FRIEND'S NAME
IT MAKES US UNCOMFORTABLE

WE WOULD ACCEPT
CHRIST SAVES
THAT'S HIS JOB
BUT JESUS SAVES
AS IN JESUS SAVES FRANK
OR BARBARA OR ALICE
OR JOE OR FRED OR WADE
OR WHATEVER YOUR NAME IS

IS LIKE A LOVER
CARVING HIS
AND HIS LOVED ONE'S NAME
ON A TREE

IT HAS AN AIR ABOUT IT
LIKE A LOVE SONG

MAYBE JESUS SAVES
WRITTEN ON THE CLIFF
IS EMBARRASSING
BECAUSE RELIGION
IN SOME WAYS
HAS BECOME EMBARRASSING

MAYBE OUR WINCING
IS A WAY
TO HIDE OUR EYES
TO STOP UP OUR EARS








BECAUSE WE SOMEHOW KNOW
THAT IF THE MESSAGE GOT THROUGH
IT WOULD SAY DIRECTLY
CLEARLY
UNMISTAKABLY
FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE

THAT WE
YOU AND I
NEED TO BE SAVED

RICH MAN POOR MAN
YOUNG WOMAN OLD WOMAN
EDUCATED
UNLETTERED
RELIGIOUS UNRELIGIOUS



ALL OF US
YOU AND I
ALL OF US
NEED TO BE SAVED

AND THAT
IS OFFENSIVE TO US
FOR WHAT IT SAYS
IS

YOU HAVE NO PEACE
WITHIN YOUR SKIN-
YOU ARE NOT HAPPY
YOU ARE NOT WHOLE

OUR HUMANITY
REACTS AGAINST THE THOUGHT

OUR SELF SUFFICIENT HUMANITY
WHICH CONTINUALLY
WANTS THE APPLE
MORE THAN IT WANTS THE GARDEN
REACTS
AGAINST THE THOUGHT

WHAT FOOL
WOULD CLIMB THAT CLIFF
TO WRITE A MESSAGE
THAT OFFENDS ME


WHAT FOOL DARES
TO GIVE ME SUCH ADVICE

WHAT FOOL DARES
TO QUESTION
MY SELF-SUFFICIENC

IF YOU HAD SAID
GOD SAVES
I COULD ARGUE WITH GOD
BUT YOU SAID
JESUS
AS IF TO SAY
FRIEND

AND I SEE THAT FRIEND
FOR WHAT THE WORLD
HAS MADE HIM
A FOOL
DESPISED AND REJECTED

A LAUGHING STOCK AMONG THE NATIONS
WITH HIS RIDICULOUS SLOGAN

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

AND I AM
EMBARRASSED BY HIM
AND THE SIGN ON THE CLIFF

THE BAD THIEF
THE ONE ON THE LEFT
SAID IN A TAUNT
IF YOU ARE THE CHRIST
SAVE YOURSELF
AND SAVE US

HOW LIKE HIM WE ARE
WHEN OUR LIFE'S ACTIONS
HANG US ON THE LEFT CROSS




WE CRY

SAVE YOURSELF
AND SAVE US

OH WE ARE NOT SORRY FOR YOUR PAIN
BECAUSE WE DO NOT ALWAYS NEED YOU
ONLY WHEN ALL THE APPLES
WE HAVE EATEN FROM THE TREE
MAKE US SICK
THEN WE NEED YOU

SAVE US SAVE US
ME
MORE THAN YOU
SAVE US

BUT THE GOOD THIEF
THE ONE ON THE RIGHT
REBUKED THE BAD THIEF
FOR HIS ARROGANCE
THEN SPOKE
WITH ALMOST THE SAME ARROGANCE
WHEN HE SAID
JESUS REMEMBER ME
WHEN YOU COME IN TO YOUR KINGDOM

TWO ARROGANT PETITIONS
BUT FROM DIFFERENT HEARTS
ONE SPOKEN IN ANGER
ONE SPOKEN IN TRUST
AND HOPE

AND TO THE TRUSTING
HOPEFUL HEART
HE SAID
TRULY
TODAY
YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE

I WONDER
WHAT THE GUARDS THOUGHT
WHEN THEY HEARD THIS CONVERSATION
DID IT INTERRUPT THEIR DICE GAME

WERE THEY PERHAPS EMBARRASSED
BY THE GOODNESS
OF THE MAN THEY WERE KILLING

OR DID THEY THINK
THAT THE PAIN
OF THEIR TORTURE
HAD ROBBED HIS MIND OF REASON

HOW COULD THAT ONE
SAVE ANYONE
NAILED TO THE TREE
WITH GOOD STOUT NAILS

WITH THE SIGN ABOVE HIS HEAD
WHICH MOCKED HIM AS KING

THEY'D BEEN WITH HIM
WHEN THEY'D WHIPPED
AND CROWNED HIM
AND THEY HAD HEARD
NEITHER CURSE NOR WHIMPER
NO KING HE
A LAMB MAYBE
QUIET IN HIS SLAUGHTER
BUT NO KING-

HOW RIDICULOUS A DEATH
DYING ON A HILLSIDE
LIKE A NAME
PAINTED ON A CLIFF-

HOW RIDICULOUS A DEATH
DYING ON A HILLSIDE
LIKE A NAME
CARVED ON A TREE BY LOVERS
AND IN THIS NAME
THE NAME OF JESUS
WE ARE EMBARRASSED
WHY?

PERHAPS IT IS BECAUSE
WE THINK
THAT WE ARE UNLOVABLE

WE DO NOT DOUBT
THAT GOD CAN SAVE US
BUT WE DO DOUBT
THAT SOMEONE COULD LOVE US
SO MUCH
AS TO DIE FOR US



TO DIE FOR US
NOT FOOLISHLY
BUT FULLY KNOWING
OUR UNWORTHINESS
AND STILL WANTING TO SAVE US

I SUSPECT
THAT THE REAL REASON
WHY THE NAME
JESUS
MAY EMBARRASS US
WHEN IT STANDS NAKED BY ITSELF

IS THAT IT PUTS US
ON A FIRST NAME BASIS

IT REMINDS US
OF OUR OWN NEED FOR SALVATION
OUR OWN NAKEDNESS
OUR OWN NAMES

FOR JESUS HAS COME
TO SAVE D-GUY
SAVE JJ AND PAULA
SAVE THERESA
SAVE MARY
SAVE KAREN AND PETER
SAVE MARCIA
SAVE ALL OF US-

NOT FOR OUR JOBS
NOT FOR OUR TITLES
NOT FOR OUR TITHING
NOT BECAUSE WE ARE RETIRED
OR WORKING
MARRIED
SINGLE OR DIVORCED
NOT FOR ANY REASON
EXCEPT HE LOVES US
HE MADE US
WE ARE THE WORK OF HIS HANDS
AND GOD DOESN'T MAKE JUNK



HE LOVES US
END OF SENTENCE
HE LOVES
US



THE MESSAGE ON THE CLIFFSIDE
CALLS US BY NAME
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­CALLS ALL OF US BY NAME
IT SAYS
UNCOVER YOUR EYES
OPEN YOUR EARS


I BRING TRUTH AND HOPE
FOR ALL THE NEEDING-TO-BE FILLED
PLACES IN YOUR LIVES

BE LIKE THE GOOD THIEF
AND KNOW THE PAIN OF SURRENDER

THE PAIN OF KNOWING
THE HELPLESSNESS
OF TRYING TO HELP YOURSELF

CALL ON ME
CALL ON ME
LIKE THE GOOD THIEF
CALL ON ME
SAYING
JESUS REMEMBER ME
WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM
REMEMBER ME
REMEMBER ME
REMEMBER ME
EVEN THOUGH I DON'T ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU'

JESUS SAYS I WILL
AND WHETHER IT SEEMS PREPOSTEROUS
IN OUR JUDGMENT
OR EMBARRASSING
THE SAME GOD
THAT SAVED THIEVES
HANGING JUSTLY ON THE CROSS
ALSO SAVES CLOWNS LIKE YOU
AND ME
NOT FOR ANY OTHER REASON
THAN THAT HE LOVES US



SO WHEN
THE PHARISEES SAY TO HIM
LEAVE NOW
BEFORE THEY KILL YOU


HE REPLIES
I WILL STAY FAITHFUL
TO MY TASK
TODAY
TOMORROW
AND THE DAY AFTER
WHICH MEANS
ALWAYS

FURTHER
JESUS SAYS
COME TO MY SHOP
WHERE THERE IS A SIGN
THAT SAYS
JESUS
CARPENTER
MAKER OF EASY YOKES
WE MAKE YOUR BURDEN LIGHT
COME IN
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
LET ME PROVE IT

AND AS WE ENTER

WE CATCH OUR IMAGE
IN THE WINDOW
OF HIS SHOP
AND WE ALSO SEE
THE REFLECTION OF THE CLIFF
WITH THE SIGN
JESUS SAVES
AND WE KNOW THE MESSAGE
IS PERSONAL AND FOR US

AMEN

Let Down Your Hair

LET DOWN YOUR HAIR
MARY
LET DOWN YOUR HAIR

TOO LONG
HAVE MEN SHACKLED YOU
AND HIDDEN YOUR BEAUTY

LET DOWN YOUR HAIR

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MESSAGE
THAT WHAT GOD CREATES
IS GOOD

LET DOWN YOUR HAIR

THE TOMB OF LAZARUS WAS OPEN
AND AIRING
THE STONE ROLLED AWAY

THE STENCH OF DEATH
WAS MASKED BY SPICES

BUT THE PARTY
WAS IN THE HOUSE
CELEBRATING LAZARUS RETURN

BUT MARY FELT A SADNESS
A PREMONITION REALLY
SOMETHING
WOMEN CAN DO
SHE SENSED DEATH IN THE AIR

AND MOVED BY SOME ETERNAL
FEMININE FORCE
TOOK NARD
A FUNERAL SPICE

WASHED HIS FEET FIRST
WITH TEARS
DRIED THEM
WITH HER LOOSENED HAIR
AND ANOINTED HIM FOR DEATH

SO MUCH WASTE THE ENRONS CRIED
AND GRASPED THE MONEY BAG


BUT JESUS SAID
PROTECTING MARY
THE POOR
WILL ALWAYS BE HERE
BUT YOU ONLY BURY ME ONCE.

First Lent

LAST WEDNESDAY
I
AND MANY OTHER CHRISTIANS
HAD ASHES
IN THE FORM OF A CROSS
PLACED ON OUR FOREHEAD
AS THE ASHES WERE BEING PLACED
THE MINISTER SAID THESE WORDS
REMEMBER
THAT YOU ARE DUST
AND BACK TO DUST
YOU SHALL RETURN

WE WERE PERFORMING A RITUAL
AS OLD
AS THE OLD TESTAMENT
WHENEVER
THERE WERE MOMENTS
OF GREAT SORROW
OR REPENTANCE FOR SIN
ASHES WERE PLACED
ON THE HEAD OF THE ONE
SEEKING FORGIVENESS

AS CHRISTIANS
WE HAVE STARTED LENT
WITH THIS GESTURE
A GESTURE
THE CHURCH USES
TO HELP US RECALL
WHO WE ARE
AND WHAT PRICE JESUS PAID
TO REDEEM US
WE ARE DUST
BUT PRECIOUS DUST

AS THE POET WROTE
AFTER SEEING THE WIND
SPIN DUST IN A CIRCLE

DOES THE WIND KNOW
THE VALUE OF THE DUST
IT WHIRLS INTO A COLUMN
IS IT TRYING TO MAKE A MAN
IF IT SUCCEEDED
WOULD IT BLOW ITS CREATION AWAY
ON A WHIM
WOULD IT LOVE ITS CREATION
WOULD IT DIE FOR HIM
WOULD IT HOVER OVER HIM
LIKE A MOTHER HEN
FUSSING FORGIVING
TIME AND AGAIN
FOLDING HIM TO HER BOSOM
OR WOULD IT
AS SO MANY GODS BUT ONE
FADE FALTER
AND GO AWAY

THE GOD WHO CALLS US
TO REPENTANCE
AND TO SORROW FOR OUR SINS
WILL NOT FORGET US
HE HAS PAID TOO HIGH A PRICE
FOR US
NOR IS HE INTERESTED
IN OUR CONDEMNATION
BUT IN OUR SALVATION

HE LOVES US SO MUCH
HE BECAME HUMAN.
THAT HE MIGHT EXPERIENCE
ALL THAT IT TAKES
TO BE HUMAN
AND PART OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
IS FAILURE
OF NOT MEASURING UP TO THE MARK
OF MISSING THE MARK
AS THE ARCHER
MISSES THE MARK
WITH HIS ARROW

THE WORD FOR SIN IN THE BIBLE
MEANS MISSING THE MARK

SO JESUS LIKE US
WAS TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL
WAS TESTED BY THE DEVIL
AND HE PASSED.

HOLD ON TO THIS THOUGHT
JESUS BEAT THE DEVIL
BY USING THE BIBLE
WHEN THE DEVIL SAID
TO THE HUNGRY JESUS
MAKE BREAD OUT OF STONE
JESUS REPLIED
MAN DOES NOT LIVE
BY BREAD ALONE

WHEN THE DEVIL
OFFERED JESUS
UNLIMITED POWER
JESUS SAID
THE ONLY POWER IS GOD.

AND WHEN SATAN
SAID TO JESUS
MAKE MAGIC
JESUS REPLIED
THOSE WHO LOVE GOD
DO NOT NEED MAGIC.
ALL THESE ANSWERS
THAT JESUS GAVE SATAN
ARE FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES

THE LAST LINE
OF OUR GOSPEL READING TODAY
SAYS
THAT WHEN THE DEVIL
HAD FINISHED
ALL HIS TEMPTING
ALL HIS TESTING OF JESUS
HE LEFT HIM
TILL THERE WOULD BE
A MORE OPPORTUNE TIME

AND TO THIS DAY
THE DEVIL GOES AROUND
LIKE A ROARING LION
SEEKING SOMEONE TO DEVOUR

PUTTING CHRIST TO THE TEST
IN THE FORM OF US
FOR WE ARE CHRIST
IN THE WORLD TODAY

TO US
IS GIVEN THE TASK
TO BE CHRIST-LIKE
IN THE WORLD
IN WHICH WE LIVE.

AND THAT'S
THE PURPOSE OF LENT
TO HELP US REMEMBER
WHY WE ARE HERE,
WHY AND HOW
WE WERE SAVED
WHY AND HOW
THE DUST
THAT THE WIND PLAYS WITH
IS SO PRECIOUS
AND TO DENY SATAN
HIS OPPORTUNE TIME
BY DOING
AND GIVING BACK TO GOD
OUR BEST

THIS GIVING OF THE BEST
IS WHAT IS CALLED FOR
IN OUR FIRST READING
FROM DEUTERONOMY
WHERE MOSES SAYS

GIVE GOD THE BEST
THE FRESHEST YIELD
FROM YOUR GARDEN

DO THIS
BECAUSE HE HAS RESCUED YOU
FROM SLAVERY
AND GIVEN YOU A NEW HOME

THAT IS WHY
WE ARE ASKED
AS PART OF LENT
TO GIVE GOD OUR BEST
BECAUSE HE HAS RESCUED US
FROM SLAVERY
AND GIVEN US
A NEW HOME- HEAVEN

WE ARE ALL FAMILIAR
WITH THE LENTEN CONCEPT
OF GIVING THINGS UP
LIKE CANDY, ICE CREAM, MOVIES
BUT I SUGGEST
WE DO
WHAT WE NORMALLY DO
BUT TRY TO DO IT BETTER.

SO WHATEVER
IS A SORE SPOT IN YOUR LIFE,
WHATEVER IN YOUR LIFE
DOES NOT LOOK LIKE
CHRIST IN ACTION
WHATEVER IS NOT YOUR BEST
IN WHATEVER WAY
YOU ARE MISSING THE MARK
STOP
PRAY
AND RE-AIM YOUR ARROW.

SUGGESTIONS
HUSBAND AND WIVES
REDUCE FRICTION.
CHILDREN DO YOUR SCHOOL WORK
AND CHORES WILLINGLY
OR LEAST WITHOUT GRUMBLING
ALL OF US EAT
WHAT WE'RE SERVED
WITHOUT GRUMBLING
ALL OF US
TURN OFF THE TELEVISION
AND TALK TO EACH OTHER.
ALL OF US MAKE TIME
FOR REGULAR PRAYER
ALL OF US
READ A CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE DAILY.

REMEMBER JESUS BESTED SATAN
WITH ANSWERS FROM THE BIBLE

IN ALL THINGS
BE GENTLE WITH EACH OTHER
AND WITH YOURSELVES
WE ARE PRECIOUS DUST
REDEEMED BY CHRIST
BECAUSE GOD LOVES HIS CREATION
AND WANTS WHAT IS BEST FOR US.
WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU,
WHAT IS BEST FOR ME

FINALLY
THESE FORTY DAYS OF LENT
REPRESENT
THE LAST DAYS AND WEEKS
OF LIFE OF JESUS
WHEN THE FORCES OF DARKNESS
WERE TRYING
TO FIRST SILENCE HIM
AND WHEN THAT FAILED
TO KILL HIM

THE CLOUDS ARE GATHERING
AROUND JESUS
AS THE ENEMY CIRCLES

MANY ARE LEAVING JESUS.
IT IS A LONELY TIME.

HE ASKS US
COULD YOU NOT
WALK
THESE LAST FEW DAYS
WITH ME
COULD YOU NOT
FOR THESE LAST FEW DAYS
THESE FORTY DAYS
GIVE ME YOUR BEST
NOT FOR PROFIT
NOT FOR GAIN
NOT FOR MERIT
BUT BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME

CAN WE SAY YES TO HIS PLEA

Walter Reed

WHEN OLD MEN
SEND YOUNG MEN
OFF TO WAR

THEY SHOULDN'T CROW
LIKE ROOSTERS
AT THE VICTORY
AS IF THEY
HAD
PARTICIPATED

THEY PIOUSLY PRATE
FAMILY VALUES
AND SEPARATE FAMILIES

FOLLOWING BAD LEADERS
IS NOT PATRIOTISM

THE DEAD THEY HONOR
THE WOUNDED
THEY HIDE
IN SQUALOR

THEY WERE SENT TO FIGHT
WITHOUT PREPARATION
FOR EITHER WAR
OR WOUNDED

OLD MEN
SHOULD LEAD THE CHARGE
TO SEE IF THEIR WORDS
RING TRUE

AND YOUNG MEN
SHOULD LIVE
TO BE GRANDPARENTS
AND SPOIL THEIR GRANDCHILDREN
AS THEIR DUE

Paths

THE STARS
UPON A PATH
MADE BY GOD'S
GREAT "BEGIN"
MOVED TO FORM A WONDER
THAT WISE MEN FOUND ATTRACTIVE
THEY SOUGHT TO SEEK ITS MEANING
IT DROVE THEM FROM COMFORTABLE BEDS
UPON A JOURNEY
TO DISCOVER
A NEW
BEGINNING
IN THEIR WORLD
AND IN THEMSELVES
THEY WERE USED TO DEALING WITH KINGS
THEY DEALT WITH HEROD HANDILY
BUT THE CHILD KING
LEFT THEM WONDERING
AS THEY HELD THE CENTER ON THE UNIVERSE
AND HOPED HE WOULD NOT CRY
THOUGH SOMEHOW THEY KNEW
THAT HIS VOICE
WOULD NOT BE
A VOICE SHOUTING IN THE DESERT
BUT RATHER LIKE A RUSTLE OF LEAVES
OR SAND SIFTING DOWN A DUNE
CALLING MEN BACK TO THE BEGINNING
ALONG PATHS OF RETURN
LAID DOWN LONG AGO
WHEN GOD SAID
"BEGIN"

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

The Deep

BIRTH AND CONCEPTION ARE MESSY THINGS

THEY PUT YOU IN AN AWKWARD POSITION

SUITABLE BEGINNINGS FOR A PEOPLE

WHOSE LIVES ARE OFTEN MARKED

BY THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

SO MUCH OF LIFE IS MESSY

WE GET DIRTY FROM WORK OR PLAY

WE LOSE CONTROL OF OUR BODIES

AS WE GET OLD

WE HAD NO CONTROL

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG

WE WEEP AT HIGH EMOTION

OR IN SADNESS

EVEN EATING LEAVES A NAPKIN DIRTY

IT'S WHERE WE ARE

AND WHO WE ARE

SO JESUS

THE SYNAGOGUE

CLOSED TO HIM

SAT IN A BOAT

AND TOLD HOMEY STORIES

THE TEACHER

SAT IN A BOAT

REDOLENT

OF CATCHES PAST

OF SWEAT FROM WORKMAN NOW

THEY'D LABORED ALL NIGHTAND CAUGHT NOTHING

THEN HE SAID

PUSH OUT INTO THE DEEP

PUSH OUT

AND GO WHERE YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE

MASTER

WE HAVE LABORED ALL NIGHT

AND CAUGHT NOTHING

BUT AT YOUR WORD

WE WILL DO IT

SO THEY WENT TO THE DEEP

WHERE DEMONS DWELL

LETTING GO

LETTING GOD

AND CAUGHT FISH

THAT MADE THEM FORGET THEY WERE TIRED

AND CAUGHT FISH

BEYOND THEIR EXPERIENCE

AND CAUGHT MEN UP IN A DREAM

THAT FISH WOULD ALWAYS BE PLENTIFUL

AND THE DEEP WOULD HAVE NO DEMONS

THEY COULDN'T FACE

FRANK A VOLLMER

Seventh Sunday After Epiphany

IMAGINE IF YOU WILL
THAT YOU ARE JESUS
STANDING ON TOP OF A HIGH MOUNTAIN
ON THE NORTH SIDE
OF THE SEA OF GALILEE..
YOU ARE LOOKING DOWN
AT THE SEA OF GALILEE.
THE MOUNTAIN IS IN GALILEE.

LOOKING SOUTH
YOU SEE THE KINGDOM OF JUDEA
AND THE CAPITAL
JERUSALEM.

LOOKING EAST YOU SEE PEREA.
LOOKING WEST YOU SEE SAMARIA.
AND YOU ARE SAD
BECAUSE THERE IS MUCH HATRED
IN THE LAND.

THE PROMISED LAND
HAS BEEN CONQUERED BY ROME
AND DIVIDED INTO THE FOUR PARTS
OF GALILEE, JUDEA, SAMARIA AND PEREA.

THE JEWS HATE THE ROMANS
WHO ARE EVERYWHERE
ACTING AS POLICEMEN.

THE JEWS HATE THE SAMARITANS
AND THE PEREANS
BECAUSE THEY WORSHIP GOD
IN A NON JEWISH MANNER.




WE HAVE IN THIS SEASON OF EPIPHANY
FOLLOWED JESUS
AS HE BEGINS HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY.
JESUS LOOKS DOWN AT THE LAKE
AND AS HE DOES
HE LOOKS BACK IN TIME
AND REMEMBERS THE EVENTS
THAT WE REMEMBERED
AS THE SUNDAYS OF EPIPHANY
CAME AND WENT

THE READINGS FOR THE YEAR 2001
EPIPHANY SEASON
COME MOSTLY FROM LUKE.
THE SEQUENCE OF READINGS THIS YEAR
HAVE VISITED THESE SCENES
FROM THE LIFE OF JESUS.

FIRST WE VISITED EPIPHANY,
THE VISIT OF THE THREE WISE MEN.
THEN THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
WHERE GOD THE FATHER
DECLARED THAT JESUS WAS HIS SON.
THEN THE WEDDING AT CANA
WHERE HE CHANGED WATER INTO WINE.
THEN HIS FIRST SERMON AT NAZARETH
AND HIS REJECTION BY HIS NEIGHBORS.
THEN WE HAD THE MIRACLE OF THE FISHES
WHERE THE APOSTLES CAUGHT SO MANY
THE BOAT BEGAN TO SINK.
AND LAST WEEK
JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN
AND PREACHED THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN
ALSO CALLED THE BEATITUDES.






LAST WEEK JESUS LOOKED DOWN
AT THE DIVIDED KINGDOM
AND WAS SADDENED.
THIS WAS NOT HIS FATHER’S DREAM
FOR THIS LAND
THIS PROMISED LAND
AND ITS PEOPLE.

RELIGION HAD BECOME
AN OBSERVANCE OF LAWS AND RITUALS.
THE PRIESTS ARGUED
OVER SUCH THINGS AS
CAN A MAN WITH A WOODEN LEG
WALK ON THE SABBATH
BECAUSE THE WOODEN LEG
WAS A BURDEN
AND ONE COULD NOT
CARRY A BURDEN
ON THE SABBATH
BECAUSE CARRYING A BURDEN
WAS WORK.

THE PERFORMANCE OF RITUAL
IN THE TEMPLE WAS SUCH
THAT
ON ANY PASSOVER
OVER 250,000 LAMBS WERE SOLD
AND SLAIN IN ONE DAY
MAKING GOD’S HOUSE
MORE A SLAUGHTER FACTORY
THAN A HOUSE OF GOD.

THIS IS WHAT HIS FATHER’S RELIGION
HAD BECOME
AND HE IS SADDENED.
SO LAST WEEK
HE SLOWLY COMEDOWN THE MOUNTAIN
AND PREACHED THE BEATITUDES.


LUKE HAS A SENTENCE
AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE BEATITUDES
THAT SAYS
THERE WERE PEOPLE
FROM SIDON AND TYRE
IN THE CROWD.
HE DID THIS DELIBERATELY
BECAUSE THE JEWS ALSO HATED
THOSE FROM SIDON AND TYRE

SO JESUS LOOKED AT THE CROWD
THAT HAD SO MUCH HATE
AND PREACHED A SERMON ON FORGIVENESS.
A SERMON, WHICH SAYS
IF ANYONE HITS YOU,
TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.
EASY TO SAY DIFFICULT TO DO.

JESUS SAYS
FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES,
DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HURT YOU.
WHEN EVERY PART OF YOUR BEING
SAYS MAKE A FIST
AND HURT YOUR ENEMY
JESUS SAYS LOVE THEM.
JESUS HAS GOT TO BE KIDDING HERE
RIGHT

BUT ULTIMATELY
JESUS IS RIGHT.
FOR WITHOUT FORGIVENESS
NATIONS WILL FIGHT
LONG PAST REMEMBERING
WHY THEY ARE FIGHTING,






NEIGHBORS WILL FIGHT
LONG PAST REMEMBERING
WHY THEY ARE FIGHTING,

FAMILIES WILL FIGHT
LONG PAST REMEMBERING
WHY THEY ARE FIGHTING

HUSBAND AND WIVES
WILL FIGHT
LONG PAST REMEMBERING
WHY THEY ARE FIGHTING,

BROTHERS AND SISTERS
YOUNG OR GROWN OLD
TILL NEAR DEATH
WILL FIGHT
LONG PAST REMEMBERING
WHY THEY ARE FIGHTING.

WHEN WILL IT END.
AS THE SONG SAYS
LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH
AND LET IT BEGIN WITH ME.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO
RIGHT NOW
AS A REACTION TO JESUS' SERMON
IS WRITE DOWN WITH YOUR FINGER
ON THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
THE NAME OF THAT PERSON
YOU FIND IT HARD TO FORGIVE.

THEN RUB YOUR HANDS TOGETHER
AND ERASE THEIR NAME.
THINKING AS YOU DO IT
THEY ARE FORGIVEN.
TRY IT



LET GO THOSE CHUNKS OF ICE
WHICH WE ALL CARRY
THOSE CHUNKS OF ICE OF HATRED
WHICH WE ALL CARRY
LONG PAST REMEMBERING
WHY WE ARE CARRYING THEM

HARD YOU SAY.
TOO HARD.
AND I AGREE.
BUT IT IS JESUS
NOT ME
WHOM IS SPEAKING
WHEN HE SAYS
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES,
DO GOOD TO THEM,
LEND ACCORDING TO THEIR NEED
EXPECTING NOTHING BACK.
BE MERCIFUL
AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS MERCIFUL.
STILL TOO HARD.

LET ME PAINT YOU A PICTURE.
THERE IS A MAN WHO IS DYING.
CONDEMNED TO DEATH
FOR A CRIME
HE DIDN'T COMMIT.

CONDEMNED TO DEATH
OUT OF JEALOUSY
AND FEAR OF LOSING POWER.

ALL HIS FRIENDS
HAVE DESERTED HIM
OUT OF FEAR.






ONE OF HIS FRIENDS
HAS SOLD HIM FOR A PRICE.
ONE OF HIS FRIENDS DENIED
HE EVER KNEW HIM.

HIS HEART
WHICH IS STRUGGLING
TO STAY ALIVE
IS STILL FILLED WITH LOVE
FOR ALL MANKIND.

AND HE IS GIVING THINGS AWAY.
HE WILL DIE POOR.

HIS CLOTHES ARE GONE.
HE HAS GIVEN HIS MOTHER
TO THE CARE OF HIS FRIEND JOHN.

NOW HE GIVES AWAY HIS ANGER.
STRUGGLING UPRIGHT ON THE NAILS
HE CRIES OUT
FATHER FORGIVE THEM
THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.

FORGIVE THE RULERS
OF TEMPLE AND STATE,
FORGIVE THE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE CRUEL TO ME,
FORGIVE THE CROWD
GATHERED LIKE VULTURES
TO SEE ME DIE,
FORGIVE THE THIEF WHO CURSED ME
FORGIVE ALL
WHO HAVE DESERTED ME,
LIED ABOUT ME,
SOLD ME FOR A PRICE






JESUS
LOOKING DOWN FROM HIS HIGH PLACE
ON THE CROSS
LOOKING DOWN THE YEARS
FORGIVING ALL WHO HAD EVER LIVED,
WHO WERE LIVING THEN
WHO WOULD LIVE IN THE FUTURE.

LOOKING DOWN FROM HIS HIGH PLACE
HE COMES TO THIS ROOM
AND CRIES OUT
FATHER FORGIVE FRANK
AND BARBARA,
JOE AND TOM,
ALICE AND JAN,
FATHER FORGIVE ALL
FROM EMANUEL IN WARWICK,
FATHER FORGIVE ALL
FROM FIRST LUTHERAN
IN BROCKTON,
FATHER FORGIVE ALL
FROM ST JOHN’S
IN PEABODY,

AND WE CRY IN RESPONSE
FATHER FORGIVE US
AND FORGIVE THE ONE
WE FIND IT HARD
TO FORGIVE
WE
AND THEY
KNOW NOT WHAT WE DO.



IN THE LIGHT OF OUR FORGIVENESS
CAN WE NOT TAKE
THE NAME OF THAT ONE PERSON
WE FIND IT HARD TO FORGIVE.
WRITE IT ON THE PALM OF OUR HAND.
RUB OUR HANDS TOGETHER
TO MAKE IT DISAPPEAR.

AND SAY TO THAT PERSON
THAT CHUNK OF ICE
THAT I HAVE CARRIED
WITH YOUR NAME ON IT
IS MELTED.
I FORGIVE YOU

AND JESUS SAYS
WELL DONE MY BROTHERS
AND SISTERS
WELL DONE

IN YOU
I AM WELL PLEASED.
MAY IT BE SO AMEN

Money for War

MONEY FOR WAR
THE GREAT MAN SAID

WE MUST HAVE MONEY FOR WAR

LET THE SICK BE SICK
AND THE POOR BE POOR
WE MUST HAVE MONEY
FOR WAR

AS EVERY GOOD CHRISTIAN NATION SHOULD
BATTLING THOSE WHO DISAGREE WITH US
WHOSE GODS HAVE DIFFERENT NAMES
WHOSE LANDS ARE RICH IN MATERIALS WE COVET
WE MUST SAVE THEM BY DESTROYING THEM
AND OURSELVES

JESUS SAID
PUT UP THE SWORD
AND WE SPIN A THOUSAND PHILOSOPHIES
WHY WE SHOULDN'T

CHRIST SAID LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
AND WE HAVE BODY COUNTS
AND COLLATERAL DAMAGE

WE FIGHT MIDGETS
AND LET THE GIANTS GET AWAY

WE FIGHT IN THE NAME OF SOME STERN GOD
WHO DOESN'T LOVE HIS CREATION

WE SAVE CHILDREN IN THE WOMB
TO SEND THEM OFF TO WAR
WARS WE OFTEN BROUGHT UPON OURSELVES
WE HAVE TAUGHT THE ENEMY WELL

IN A WORLD
WHERE WE OFTEN
CANNOT CHOOSE GOOD
BUT A CHOICE BETWEEN EVILS
AND WHERE WE HAVE TO CHOOSE EVIL
TO NOT BE HAPPY WITH THE CHOICE

FRANK A VOLLMER

Galatians

GALATIANS


I WOULDN'T INVITE HIM TO MY PARTY
PAUL I MEAN
I WOULDN'T INVITE HIM TO MY PARTY
I'D GROW WEARY
OF ALWAYS IN YOUR FACE CONFRONTATION
OF ALWAYS BEING RIGHT

MY SELF
I LIKE HEROES
WITH WEAKNESS

I
CAN IDENTIFY WITH THEM

SO I WONDER
DID THE OTHER APOSTLES
WHEN ALL THE T’S WERE CROSSED
AND ALL THE I’S WERE DOTTED
DID THE HUMBLE FISHERMEN
SAY TO THE LEARNED SCHOLAR
REMEMBER THE POOR

IF WE FORGET THE POOR
THEN ALL OUR SCHOLARSHIP
IS NOTHING
BUT A RESOUNDING GONG
OR A CLANGING CYMBAL

REMEMBER THE POOR


FRANK A VOLLMER

Galatians II

GALATIANS II


I HAVE A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH PAUL
I FIND HIM TIRING
BOASTFUL
ALWAYS RIGHT

SAY GOOD MORNING
HE GIVES YOU A LECTURE
ON THE WEATHER

BUT CAPABLE
OF AN INCANDESCENT BEAUTY
OF LANGUAGE

SO WHEN HE SAYS
I WITHSTOOD CEPHAS
TO HIS FACE
I IMMEDIATELY
THOUGHT
OF LUTHER’S ADMONITION

We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.

I FURTHER THOUGHT
HE’S TALKING OUT OF BOTH SIDES
OF HIS MOUTH
FOR IN ROMAN’S HE SAID

If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love


AND IN CORINTHIANS HE SAID


Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall


SO IF CEPHAS
IS FOLLOWING PAUL
IS ACTING OUT OF CHARITY
I FIND PAUL AT FAULT

BUT CEPHAS
WITH PAUL’S FINGER IN HIS FACE
HOW DOES HE ACT

THIS POOR DUMB FISHERMAN
THIS POOR DUMB EVERYMAN

HE LISTENS
HE DOES NOT REACT ANGRILY
HE LISTENS AND AGREES
NO LOUD ARGUMENTS
OF BEING RIGHT

THOUGH HE'D RATHER
PAUL
HAD HEEDED
THE MASTER’S VOICE
WHEN HE SAID

If your brother sins, reprove him in private


FRANK A VOLLMER

Waterfall

BY WATER BEGAN
THE SIFTING DOWN FOR EONS OF THE SILT
OF DYING CREATURES AND THE LAND
TRANSFORMED BY HEAT AND PRESSURE INTO STONE
BY UPHEAVAL THRUST TO MOUNTAIN FORM
THEN DOWN THE WATERS RAN
CUTTING THROUGH MOUNTAIN
THROUGH STONE
WILDLY THE WATERS RUN
TO DROP OFF A CLIFF AND PLUNGE INTO A POOL
TO PASS A BILLION YEARS OF STONE WITHIN ITS PLUNGE
RACING RUNNING SWIRLING FROTHING
LIVING WATER CUP OF STONE


Frank A. Vollmer

Away They Went Rejoicng

AWAY THEY WENT REJOICING
THE SHEPHERDS TO THEIR FLOCKS ABIDING
THEY NEEDED TENDING
AWAY THEY WENT
TRAILING THE SMELL OF SHEEP
SWEAT
AND CHEAP WINE

THEY PASSED A NOBLE CARAVAN
WITH ROYALTY PERCHED ON CAMELS
ONE SENSED CLEANLINESS
AND GOOD MANNERS
THEY NODDED AT EACH OTHER IN PASSING

SOME SAY
THE BIRTH NARRATIVES
ARE ROMANTIC FICTIONS
MEANT TO DRESS UP A DRAB
ORDINARY SCENE

AS IF TO SAY
THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
WAS NOT MIRACLE ENOUGH

WE TAKE HIS LIFE
AND SIMPLE WORDS
AND SPIN AN UNRECOGNIZABLE TALE
AT WHICH THE SHEPHERDS
WOULD COMMENT
A COLLECTIVE
HUH

THE SIMPLE FACT IS GOD CAME

A SIMPLE FACT LIKE GOD
CREATED HEAVEN
AND EARTH

WE ARGUE OVER
METHODS AND DAYS
WHO CARES
GOD CREATED HEAVEN AND EARTH

GOD BECAME A MAN
TO LIVE AN ORDINARY LIFE
TO SUCKLE AT HIS MOTHER’S BREAST
TO KNOW HEAT AND COLD
HUNGER AND THIRST
TO WORK AT A TRADE
TO PAY THE BILLS
TO SHARE OUR OFTEN MUNDANE LIFE

IN AN ORDINARY BIRTH
NO ANGELS AUDIBLY SING
NO TRADESMEN COME TO CALL
NO ROYALTY BRING GIFTS

AND CHRIST CAME TO BE AN ORDINARY MAN

I MUST CONFESS
THAT CHRISTMAS STRIPPED DOWN
HAS MERIT
BUT LIKE HARDY’S POEM


If someone said on Christmas Eve,Come; see the oxen kneel,

I should go with him in the gloom,Hoping it might be so



COME GENTLE JESUS COME
YOUR BIRTH IS ENOUGH FOR ME
MAY I BRING THE GIFT OF WHO I AM
AND THE GIFT
OF WHAT WE BOTH
SHALL BE
WHEN WE GROW UP



FRANK A VOLLMER

Xmas

IT WAS THE COMING ON OF EVENING
THE SHADOWS GATHERING IN THE CORNERS
SPILLING OUT
FILING THE ROOM WHERE HE SAT
CONTENT
AT EASE
HAPPY TO BE AT HOME

SITTING IN THE DARKNESS
AT EVENING
CONTENT

IT HADN'T ALWAYS BEEN SO
IT WAS AN ACQUIRED HABIT
FOR LONG
HE HAD BEEN TOO BUSY
PREOCCUPIED
TO ENJOY THE DAILY TRIVIA
OF ORDINARY LIVING

BUT ONCE HE'D LEFT IT
ONCE HE'D GONE OFF
HE'D MISSED IT

SO THAT HE SAT IN THE DARK
QUIET AT TABLE
CONTENT
WAITING FOR HIS MOTHER
TO COME HOME
SUCH A NORMAL FEELING

WAITING WARM
IN HIS HOME
FOR HIS MOTHER
TO COME HOME

WHERE SHALL I BE BORN THIS YEAR
ON SOME LOST BOAT ON SOME LOST SEA
EXILED FROM MY COUNTRY AND NO OTHER PLACE
TO CALL HOME

SHALL I BE BORN AT SEA
OR IN A CAMP SUCKING DRYNESS
FROM MY MOTHER'S
WITHERED BREAST

WHERE SHALL I BE BORN

OR SHALL I BE BORN IN AN OLD MAN'S WHIMPER
WHO FINDS HIS INCOME CANNOT PAY
FOR RENT AND FOOD AND FUEL
AND IN THE TWILIGHT OF HIS YEARS
FINDS HUNGER HIS REWARD FOR SERVICE
WHERE SHALL I BE BORN

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT
THOSE WHO FIND THEIR LIFE DIMINISHED
BY FORCES OUT OF THEIR CONTROL
WHO ALSO FIND NO REASON FOR THEIR PAIN
WHERE SHALL I BE BORN

PERHAPS AGAIN IN A STABLE
REJECTED
NOT ABLE TO JOIN THE PARTY

AT THE INN
SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE
A DOWN SYNDROME CHILD
OR ONE WITH AIDS
WHERE SHALL I BE BORN


GOOD EVENING MOM

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE LONG

I DON'T KNOW
I DON'T THINK SO
BESIDES
IT'S NICE JUST SITTING HERE
QUIET
IN OUR HOME
WAITING
ON THE DAY THAT I WAS BORN




FRANK A VOLLMER

Immigrant

The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34).

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35)...





IMMIGRANT


SO QUICK HAD THEY LEFT
THE ANGEL HAD GIVEN THEM NO TIME
HEROD WOULD DIM HIS SMILE
FOREVER
QUICK
BE GONE

WHERE SHALL I FIND WORK
TO FEED AND CLOTHE
AND SHELTER MY FAMILY

I
A STRANGER
IN A STRANGE LAND
WHOSE WAYS ARE DIFFERENT FROM MINE
WHOSE GODS ARE DIFFERENT FROM MINE
WHOSE SPEECH IS DIFFERENT FROM MINE

I HAVE SKILLS
IF THEY'LL LET ME USE THEM
PERHAPS THE SHIPYARDS ON THE SUEZ
WILL HAVE WORK
BUT WHATEVER WORK IS THERE
I'LL DO

WILL PEOPLE LOOK ASKANCE AT OUR CLOTHES
WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO PACK
WHAT WE'RE WEARING
IS WHAT WE HAVE

WE ARE TOLD TO WELCOME THE STRANGER
IN OUR MIDST
A RULE THAT TRANSCENDS ALL RELIGIONS
MAY GOD BE WITH ME IN THE NEW LAND

IF THINGS WE'RE BETTER AT HOME
I WOULD NEVER HAVE LEFT
BUT THE CHOICE IS NOT MINE
IF THE CHILD SHOULD LIVE
AND BRING HIS SMILE
TO THE WORLD

FRANK A VOLLMER

Holy Innocents

A VOICE IS HEARD IN RAMAH, LAMENTATION AND BITTER WEEPING. RACHEL IS WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN



HOLY INNOCENTS



HEROD’S SOLDIERS ARE BUSY AGAIN IN DARFUR
SUDAN
SOMALIA
NIGER AND BANGLADESH
IRAQ
LATIN AND SOUTH AMERICA
USA

HAVE THEY EVER BEEN IDLE

WE STRUGGLE TO KEEP CHILDREN ALIVE IN THE WOMB
AND KILL THEM DAILY
WITH POVERTY
HUNGER
SICKNESS
WAR

ARE HEROD’S MEN BEING MORE MERCIFUL
ARE HEROD’S MEN ANGELS OF MERCY
BRINGING RELIEF IN TIMES OF TRIAL

THE LEGEND IS THAT CHRIST DIED
IN PART
TO BE WITH THE INNOCENTS
TO BE WITH THOSE WHO SUFFERED FOR HIM
TO BE WITH THOSE WHO DIED FOR NO GOOD REASON
TO BE WITH THOSE WHO DIE FOR NO GOOD REASON


TO BE POWERLESS IN THE FACE OF RACHEL’S PAIN
READING
WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU.............................

CHRIST CALLS OUT
IN THE VOICE OF ALL THOSE WHO ARE ABANDONED
ALL THOSE WHO ARE POWERLESS
ALL THOSE WHO ARE SPEECHLESS
ALL THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERED NO VALUE
AND CRIES OUT
WHY

AND THE INNOCENTS CRY
WHY DID WE DIE

AND IN THE FACE OF RACHEL’S PAIN
WE ARE MUTE
ASHAMED
HUMBLED
AND POOR



FRANK A VOLLMER

Epiphany

I SUPPOSE I WASN'T ON MY BEST BEHAVIOR
BUT A LIFE FULL OF BOOKS AND STAR GAZING
OF DAYS SPENT SLEEPING
AND NIGHTS SKY WATCHING
OF BEING ALONE
OR WITH OTHERS EQUALLY ALONE
OF GROWING OLD WITH BOOKS... AND MUSTY
OF GROWING OLD

WELL AFTER ALL
WE'D HAD A ROUGH JOURNEY
THINGS HADN'T GONE ACCORDING TO PLAN
WHAT WITH NAUSEA FROM THE CAMEL'S ROCKING
AND THE SAND
WELL
WHAT HAD STARTED OUT AS A GREAT ADVENTURE
SOON BECAME
SAND IN OUR SHOES
IN OUR FOOD
IN OUR HAIR
IN OUR CLOTHES
IN OUR BLANKETS
IN OUR UNDERWEAR AND SHOES
EVERYWHERE
SAND
NO GREEN
OH AN OASIS OR TWO
BUT MOSTLY SAND

THEY SAY I SOMETIMES GRUMBLE
WELL MAYBE A LITTLE


AND THEN WHEN WE GOT THERE
THIS JOURNEY TO SEE A KING NEWBORN
NO PALACE
NO PURPLE
NO COUNCILORS
NO COURTIERS
NO COURTS AT ALL

A STABLE
THAT'S RIGHT A STABLE

TWO ORDINARY ADULTS
AND ONE ORDINARY CHILD
MAKING ANIMAL NOISES
AT HIS MOTHER'S BREAST
AND NOTHING ELSE

BUT THIS IS WHERE THE STAR HAD LED
THE STAR BY LEGEND AND DUSTY TOME FORETOLD
A STAR
A BIRTHPLACE MARKER OF A KING
BUT GREATER THAN A KING
GREATER THEN ALEXANDER OR CAESAR
EVEN GREATER THAN THE GODS
GREATER THAN ZEUS OR APOLLO

BUT SUCH A LOWLY BEGINNING
DID HE STOOP SO LOW
TO MAKE HIS LEAP UP HIGHER

BUT MELCHIOR
QUICK AS USUAL WITH HIS TONGUE
SAID MADAM
AND SIR
WE BEG YOU FORGIVE OUR INTRUSION
BUT WE HAVE TRAVELED MANY MILES
TO SEE YOUR SON
AND WOULD YOU DO US HONOR
AND LET US HONOR HIM

WELL THEY WERE QUITE FLUSTERED
AS PEOPLE USUALLY ARE WITH UNEXPECTED COMPANY
AND THEY SET TO WITH STRAIGHTENING UP
AND APOLOGIZING FOR THE ACCOMMODATIONS
BUT SOON WE WERE ENTHRONED
ON THREE BALES OF STRAW
AND THERE WE SAT
NOT KNOWING WHAT TO SAY

THEN MARY SAID TO ME
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HOLD THE CHILD
NOW I HAVE HELD COSTLY TELESCOPES
AND PRICELESS MANUSCRIPTS
BUT BABIES
NEVER


PERHAPS I HELD HIM WRONGLY
I DO NOT KNOW
BUT ANYWAY HE CRIED
AND MORE THAN CRIED
HE WET ALL OVER ME

NOW WHAT CAN BE WORSE
THAN A SOGGY SCHOLAR
OR A WET WISEMAN

BUT CASPER BEGAN TO GIGGLE
JOSEPH HAD TO TURN AWAY
MELCHIOR HAD COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL
AND MARY
I WATCHED THE TIREDNESS LEAVE HER EYES
TRIED NOT TO
BUT LOST AND LAUGHED
A BEAUTIFUL RINGING LAUGH

WELL
AFTER THAT WE HAD A LOVELY VISIT
I LEARNED TO HOLD HIM MORE EXPERTLY
AND DRY



I'M SORRY I MET THEM SO LATE IN LIFE
SO CLOSE TO THE SUNSET OF MY YEARS
I'D HAVE LIKED TO WATCH HIM GROW
THIS NEPHEW MINE
FOR WAS I NOT AN UNCLE NAMED
IN HONOR OF MY WETTING

I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO WATCH HIM GROW
TO SEE IN HIM MY YOUTH RENEWED
TO SEE THE WORLD WIDE EYED AGAIN
TO SMELL A DAISY
OR WATCH A BUMBLE BEE GO
PERHAPS I COULD HAVE TAUGHT HIM
AND THEREBY EXTEND MY YEARS
A SORT OF IMMORTALITY


I HOPE THAT LIFE IS GOOD TO HIM
THIS NEPHEW MINE
THAT MEN WILL GROW TO LOVE HIM

BUT MOST OF ALL
WHEN MY MOST LONELY THOUGHTS PREVAIL
I WISH THAT HE WERE MINE

Frank A Vollmer