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

Shiva

WHY RABBI WHY

A DAMAGED
UNUSABLE TORAH
IS BURIED IN THE EARTH
REVERENTLY
BEFITTING THE HOLY PURPOSE
IT ONCE SERVED

A DEAD BODY DESERVES THE SAME RESPECT
IT HOUSED THE SOUL
IT SHOULD BE GIVEN A RITUAL BATH
BECAUSE
CLEAN AND PURE
IT CAME INTO THIS WORLD
SO CLEAN AND PURE IT SHOULD LEAVE

WE SIT SHIVA
FOR SEVEN DAYS
BECAUSE JOSEPH
MOURNED HIS FATHER
SEVEN DAYS

AND JOB’S FRIENDS
IN THE FACE OF HIS GRIEF
WERE SILENT
FOR SEVEN DAYS

UNTIL HE SPOKE
OH THAT I MIGHT NEVER HAVE BEEN BORN
THAN TO SUFFER SUCH PAIN

WE SIT LOW
BECAUSE WE BEEN BROUGHT LOW BY DEATH
AND TO BE NEAR THE BODY
WHICH IS IN THE EARTH

WE ARE AN ANCIENT PEOPLE
MANY OF OUR FOLKWAYS
ARE BURIED IN HISTORY
MYSTERY
OR MYTH

WE BRING STONES
TO THE GRAVE SITE
BECAUSE THE TIME WAS
WHEN THE DEAD WERE COVERED WITH ROCK
TO PREVENT DESECRATION

OR MAYBE
JUST TO SHOW WE WERE THERE

MANY OF LIFE’S EVENTS
ARE COVERED WITH PRAYER
FROM OUR GOING OUT
AND COMING BACK
AND IN BETWEEN

LIFE IS SACRED
AND DEATH
IS THE SOLVER OF RIDDLES


FRANK A VOLLMER

Nicodemus

LET ME START BY TELLING YOU A FEW STORIES

THE WORD CALENDAR
COMES FROM THE LATIN WORD CALENDS
WHICH MEANS THE FIRST OF THE MONTH
SO A CALENDAR
IS A DEVICE
THAT HELPS PEOPLE
FIND THE FIRST OF THE MONTH

THE WORD CALENDS
ALSO MEANS
THE COIN PURSE OF THE MONEY LENDER
WHO WOULD COME BY
ON THE FIRST OF THE MONTH
WITH HIS PURSE OPEN
TO RECEIVE THE PAYMENTS DUE HIM

OFTEN WE FEAR THAT GOD WILL COME
UNANNOUNCED
TO COLLECT OUR DEBT TO HIM

THAT HE WOULD COME WITH AN OPEN PURSE
LIKE A MONEY LENDER DEMANDING PAYMENT

AND BECAUSE WE ARE IMPOVERISHED
AND CANNOT PAY
WE WOULD BE PUNISHED

NOT A NEW IDEA
OUR FOUNDER
MARTIN LUTHER
LABORED MUCH OF HIS LIFE
UNDER THE IDEA
THAT TRY AS HE MIGHT
HE COULD NOT PLEASE GOD


AND AS A RESULT
AN ANGRY
MEAN SPIRITED GOD
WOULD PUNISH HIM

NICODEMUS
COMES AT NIGHT
TO MEET WITH JESUS

HE WAS AN IMPORTANT RICH MAN
A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY
HE CAME AT NIGHT
HIS COMING AT NIGHT
DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN
HE WAS AFRAID TO BE SEEN
WITH JESUS

A JEWISH PROVERB OF THE TIMES
SAID
IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK TO A MAN DEEPLY
COME TO HIS HOUSE WHEN THE CHILDREN
WERE ASLEEP

SO NICODEMUS
CAME TO JESUS AT NIGHT

WHO WAS THIS NICODEMUS

A PHARISEE
A LEADER OF THE PEOPLE
AN OBSERVER OF ALL THE LAWS
THAT MUST BE OBEYED
TO PLEASE GOD







JUDAISM HAD DISINTEGRATED
INTO A SERIES OF MAN MADE LAWS
CREATED BY A PROCESS CALLED PILPUL

WHICH WAS A STUDY OF THE LAW
TO DISCOVER ALL ITS SHADES AND MEANINGS

AND THE ONES WHO PROMOTED THIS STUDY
WERE THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES

SOME EXAMPLES
YOU COULDN'T WORK ON THE SABBATH

SO A MAN WITH A WOODEN LEG
COULD NOT WALK ON THE SABBATH
BECAUSE THE LEG WAS A BURDEN
AND THEREFORE WALKING WAS WORK

IF YOU WERE HURT
YOU COULD BANDAGE THE WOUND
BUT YOU COULDN'T PUT MEDICINE ON THE WOUND
BECAUSE THAT WAS WORK

ALSO IF A GENTILE WOMAN WAS HAVING A BABY
YOU COULDN'T HELP HER
BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT ONE OF THE CHOSEN PEOPLE
TO WHOM THE LAW HAD BEEN GIVEN

THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES
WERE CONSTANTLY STUDYING THE LAW
ADDING SOME REQUIREMENTS
TO DAILY LIVING

OR FORBIDDING
SOME ACTIONS
IN DAILY LIVING




YOU REMEMBER THAT JESUS WAS ACCUSED
OF BAD CONDUCT
WHEN HE HEALED PEOPLE ON THE SABBATH DAY
BECAUSE HEALING WAS WORK
AND SUCH WORK ON SABBATH WAS FORBIDDEN
BY THE LEADERS
A DISTORTION OF THE LAW

THEY OPPRESSED THE PEOPLE SO MUCH
WITH THESE LAWS
THAT JESUS CRIED OUT
YOU MAKE UP HEAVY BURDENS
FOR MEN TO CARRY
BUT DO NOTHING
TO HELP THEM CARRY
THEIR BURDENS

OR AGAIN JESUS CRIED OUT
THE LAW EXISTS FOR THE PEOPLE
NOT THE PEOPLE FOR THE LAW

SO NICODEMUS
A GOOD MAN
BURDENED DOWN BY LAWS
HE COULD NOT KEEP

OR FOUND DIFFICULT
COMES IN THE NIGHT
TO FIND THE LIGHT

WHO COMES IN THE NIGHT
TO HAVE HIS BURDEN LIGHTENED

AND JESUS SAYS TO HIM
JESUS SAYS TO HIM
BE BORN AGAIN




HOW MANY TIMES
HAVE WE SAID
IN OUR OWN LIFE

I AM TIRED OF THE WAY THINGS ARE
I AM GOING TO TRY TO CHANGE MY LIFE
I WILL BE REBORN


BUT HOW WE SAY
WITH NICODEMUS
HOW CAN WE BE REBORN

AND JESUS SAYS
BY THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT
OF YOUR OWN BAPTISM
BY THAT BAPTISM
YOU HAVE RECEIVED
REBIRTH

YOU HAVE BEEN REBORN

BUT
HAVING BEEN GIVEN SUCH A GIFT
WE FEEL UNWORTHY

WE CANNOT MEASURE UP TO THE MARK
WE CANNOT FILL THE MONEY LENDER'S
PURSE

UNWORTHY OF THE GIFT OF REBIRTH
WE FEEL THAT WE WILL BE CRUSHED
BY ITS WEIGHT
BY ITS OBLIGATIONS

BUT JESUS SAYS
MY FATHER SO LOVED THE WORLD
HE SENT ME
HE SENT ME
TO SAVE IT
AND ANYONE WHO BELIEVES IN ME
BELIEVES IN THE FATHER
AND WILL RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE

BUT THE GIFT IS TOO GREAT
TOO GREAT FOR US
WHO ARE TOO SMALL
HOW CAN WE EVER REPAY YOU

BELIEVE IN ME
IS ALL I ASK

BELIEVE

AND LET YOUR LIFE FLOW
FROM THAT BELIEF

BELIEVE IN ME

BUT WE SHALL STUMBLE
BELIEVE IN ME

BUT WE ARE WEAK
BELIEVE IN ME

BUT WE ARE UNWORTHY
BELIEVE IN ME

BUT WE ARE SINNERS
I HAVE FORGIVEN YOU

SO WHEN THE TEMPTER COMES
AS COME HE WILL
TO MAKE YOU DOUBT
YOUR BELIEFS





TO MAKE YOU FEEL
UNLOVED AND UNWANTED BY GOD

TELL THE TEMPTER
WITH HIS OPEN PURSE
TELL THE TEMPTER
MY DEBT HAS BEEN PAID

MY DEBT HAS BEEN PAID BY JESUS

WHO DID NOT PAY
THE GREAT PRICE HE PAID
SO THAT LATER HE COULD DESTROY ME
AS YOU ARE TRYING TO DESTROY ME

TELL THE TEMPTER
WHEN HE COMES
TELL THAT MONEY LENDER
WITH HIS OPEN PURSE

CLOSE YOUR PURSE
AND MARK MY BILL
PAID IN FULL BY JESUS


FRANK A VOLLMER

The Baptism of Jesus

LET US BEGIN AS WE BEGIN ALL THINGS
IN THE NAME OF GOD THE FATHER
WHO CREATED US,
IN THE NAME OF GOD THE SON
WHO REDEEMED US,
IN THE NAME OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
WHO INSPIRES US

LET US BEGIN IN THE NAME OF GOD,
MOTHER OF US ALL


THE BAPTISM JESUS RECEIVED
WAS NOT THE SAME AS THAT BAPTISM
WE RECEIVED
WHEN MOST OF US WERE CHILDREN

BAPTISM WAS RESERVED IN THE JEWISH FAITH
FOR THOSE
NOT BORN JEWS
THOSE SINFUL PEOPLE
NOT BORN A JEW

THE JEW BELIEVED
THAT BEING A SON OF ABRAHAM
HE WAS ASSURED OF GOD'S SALVATION

AS LONG AS HE FOLLOWED THE LAW
HE WAS ASSURED OF GOD'S SALVATION
THEREFORE HE HAD NO NEED FOR RITUAL CLEANING

BUT THERE WAS A MOVEMENT IN JUDEA
IN JESUS TIME
THAT THE NATION HAD LOST THEIR PRIVILEGED STATUS

THE NATION HAD BEEN CONQUERED BY ROME


THE PEOPLE
WERE DESPERATELY WAITING
FOR THE MESSIAH
TO FREE THE LAND

THEY FELT THAT GOD WAS ANGRY WITH THEM
ANGRY WITH THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR LIFESTYLE

THEY FELT
THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR A CHANGE
THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR A CLEANSING
THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR REPENTING

SO THERE WENT OUT INTO THE LAND
THOSE CALLING FOR CHANGE

SOME WERE CALLING FOR POLITICAL CHANGE
OTHERS LIKE JOHN THE BAPTIST AND THE ESSENES
WERE CALLING FOR MORAL CHANGE

THE SYMBOL OF THAT CHANGE
WAS THE WHOLE BODY PLUNGING
OF A PERSON INTO A LAKE OR RIVER
A CLEANSING ACT

BUT THE CANDIDATE HAD FIRST TO STATE
HE WAS SORRY FOR HIS SINS
AND WOULD TRY TO AMEND HIS LIFE

JOHN'S MESSAGE OF REPENT
AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE
WAS BEARING FRUIT
MANY WERE FLOCKING TO JOHN
FOR REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM

UNDERLYING THIS MOVEMENT
WAS THE THOUGHT
THAT IF THEY CHANGED THEIR LIVES
THE MESSIAH WOULD COME
BUT THEY WANTED A POLITICAL MESSIAH


WHAT THEY WOULD GET
WAS A SERVANT

THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SURPRISED
BECAUSE GOD HAD DESCRIBED THAT SERVANT
IN ISAIAH

THE LORD'S SERVANT

THE LORD SAYS,
"HERE IS MY SERVANT,
WHOM I STRENGTHEN -
THE ONE I HAVE CHOSEN,
WITH WHOM I AM PLEASED.
I HAVE FILLED HIM WITH MY SPIRIT,
AND HE WILL BRING JUSTICE TO EVERY NATION.
HE WILL NOT SHOUT OR RAISE HIS VOICE
OR MAKE LOUD SPEECHES IN THE STREETS.

HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF A BENT REED
NOR PUT OUT A FLICKERING LAMP.
HE WILL BRING LASTING JUSTICE TO ALL.
HE WILL NOT LOSE HOPE OR COURAGE;
HE WILL ESTABLISH JUSTICE ON THE EARTH.
DISTANT LANDS EAGERLY WAIT FOR HIS TEACHING."


AND NOW
THE LORD GOD SAYS TO HIS SERVANT,
I, THE LORD, HAVE CALLED YOU
AND GIVEN YOU POWER
TO SEE THAT JUSTICE
IS DONE ON EARTH
THROUGH YOU
I WILL MAKE A COVENANT
WITH ALL PEOPLES
THROUGH YOU
I WILL BRING LIGHT
TO THE NATION.
YOU WILL OPEN THE EYES
OF THE BLIND
AND SET FREE THOSE
WHO SIT IN DARK PRISONS


THE THINGS I PREDICTED
HAVE NOW COME TRUE

NOW I WILL TELL YOU
OF NEW THINGS
EVEN BEFORE
THEY BEGIN TO HAPPEN."

THIS SERVANT
THIS GOD MADE MAN
WHO DID NOT CONSIDER EQUALITY WITH GOD
SOMETHING TO BE GRASPED,
TO BE CLUNG TO
BUT RATHER
EMPTIED HIMSELF OUT
TOOK ON THE FORM OF A SLAVE
A SERVANT
TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS

THIS GOD MAN WAS BORN IN A STABLE
WAS HUNGRY AT HIS MOTHER'S BREAST
WAS SENT TO SCHOOL
LEARNED TO TIE HIS SANDALS
WAS TRAINED TO BE A CARPENTER
TOOK CARE OF HIS MOTHER
STUDIED THE SCRIPTURES
LOOKED OUT AT THE WORLD
AND KNEW IT WAS NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE


SO HERE HE WAS
STANDING
LOOKING AT THE RIVER JORDAN
WHERE JOHN HIS COUSIN
WAS BAPTIZING

KNEW HE HAD TO MAKE A DECISION
KNEW HE HAD TO DECIDE
WHAT HE SHOULD DO WITH HIS LIFE

KNEW THAT IF STARTED PREACHING
THE WAY JOHN WAS PREACHING
THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY KILL HIM


BUT HE HAD HEARD
THE CALL OF HIS FATHER
TO MISSION

LIKE A BUGLE SOUNDING SOFTLY
IN THE DISTANCE

LIKE ALL MEN
BECAUSE HE WAS MAN
HE STRUGGLED WITH HIS DECISION
TRYING TO DETERMINE
HIS FATHER'S CALL


HE DID NOT NEED BAPTISM
THERE WAS NO SIN IN HIM

WHAT WAS IN HIM
WAS A DESIRE
A NEED
TO SHARE HUMANITY'S PLIGHT
TO BE WITH SINNERS
WHERE THEY WERE
AND WHERE THEY WERE
WAS WITH JOHN ENTERING THE WATER

SO HE JOINED THE LINE
BUT HIS COUSIN JOHN
FELT HE WAS UNWORTHY

BUT JESUS SAID

LET IT BE DONE

SO JOHN PLUNGED HIM INTO THE RIVER
AND HE CAME UP
GASPING FOR AIR
LIKE A NEWBORN BABY
LIKE A REBORN BABY
LIKE ALL THOSE IN LINE WITH HIM

FROM HEAVEN CAME A VOICE

THE VOICE OF A FATHER
PROUD OF HIS SON
FOR MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

THE VOICE SAYS

THIS IS MY BELOVED SON
IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED

AND JESUS LOOKING AT ALL GATHERED AT THE RIVER
AND LOOKING DOWN THE LONG RIVER OF HISTORY
AND SAYS
TO ALL OF US

YOU

YOU

YOU ARE MY BELOVED BROTHERS
YOU ARE MY BELOVED SISTERS
IN YOU I AM WELL PLEASED




FRANK A VOLLMER

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