Manna

MANNA



MAN TO GOD INGRATITUDE
IS THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF PREACHING
ON THAT PART OF THE STORY OF THE EXODUS
WHERE THE ISRAELITES GRUMBLED AT HARD TIMES


THE ISRAELITES HAD BEEN RELEASED
FROM SLAVERY IN EGYPT
PHARAOH'S ARMY
SENT TO RECAPTURE THEM
HAD BEEN DESTROYED
THEY HAD ESCAPED
TO THE WILDERNESS
OF SINAI
THEY HAD PASSED THROUGH A DIVIDED SEA
TO A BARREN LAND
AND THEY WERE HUNGRY

SO THEY COMPLAINED TO GOD
THROUGH MOSES AND AARON
WERE THERE NOT ENOUGH GRAVEYARDS IN EGYPT
THAT WE HAD TO COME OUT HERE TO DIE
IN EGYPT WE HAD MEAT
AND OUR FILL OF BREAD
DID YOU BRING US HERE TO DIE OF HUNGER
THIS THEY SAID TO GOD THE FATHER
THROUGH MOSES AND AARON
THEY SAID
IS THAT ALL THERE IS
IS THAT ALL THERE IS
FATHER

WE MIGHT EXPECT A GOD
TO REACT ANGRILY
TO SUCH INGRATITUDE

BUT GOD THE FATHER SAYS TO US
BECAUSE HIS LOVE FOR US
IS GREATER THAN OUR INGRATITUDE TO HIM
GOD THE FATHER SAYS

I HAVE HEARD YOUR COMPLAINING
AND THEREFORE
AT TWILIGHT
YOU SHALL EAT MEAT
AND IN THE MORNING
YOU SHALL HAVE YOUR FILL OF BREAD

SO IN THE EVENING OF THAT DAY
QUAIL CAME
WERE CAUGHT AND EATEN
AND IN THE MORNING
A SUBSTANCE LIKE CORNFLAKES
APPEARED ON THE BUSHES

WHEN THE ISRAELITES SAW IT
THEY ASKED
WHAT IS IT
IN HEBREW
MANNA
AND MOSES REPLIED
IT IS THE BREAD
THAT THE LORD
HAS GIVEN YOU TO EAT

TO ME
THE MORAL OF THE STORY
IS NOT SO MUCH
THE ISRAELITES INGRATITUDE
BUT THAT GOD HEARD THEIR COMPLAINING
AND LISTENED

THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER
WHERE WE ARE IN GRATITUDE
OR INGRATITUDE TO GOD
NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE
HE IS LISTENING
AND ANSWERING OUR NEEDS

I DON'T WANT TO BE POLLYANNA
IN THAT STATEMENT
GOD'S LOVE FOR US
DOES NOT MEAN
THAT EVERY DAY WILL BE SUNNY
OR FREE OF PAIN
HE WILL NOT GIVE
THE ONE LEGGED MAN ANOTHER LEG
BUT HELP THE ONE LEGGED MAN TO LIVE
WITH HIS ONE LEGGEDNESS
FOR GOD ANSWERS OUR NEEDS
NOT OUR WANTS
AND SOMETIMES GOD WEEPS
WHEN EVIL OVERCOMES
HIS LOVE FOR US

WHEN WE
OR THE WORLD
SAY MANNA MANNA
WHAT IS THIS
WE WOULD RATHER LIVE WELL FED IN EGYPT
THAN HUNGRY IN THE DESERT

GIVE US BACK OUR SLAVERY
BECAUSE FREEDOM IS TOO HARD
BECAUSE EVEN
WHEN WE ARE GIVEN
EVERYTHING WE NEED
WE ARE LIKE ADAM IN THE GARDEN
WHO SAYS
IS THIS ALL I GET
AND THEN EATS THE FRUIT

AND IN AWFUL AWARENESS
SHOUTS OUT
MANNA MANNA
WHAT IS IT
AND KNOWS
THAT IT IS SIN

AND CRIES OUT
I HAVE LOST GOD
BECAUSE OF MY INGRATITUDE

BUT GOD HEARS US
IN OUR DEEPEST MOMENT
AND FEEDS US
AS HE DOES IN HOLY COMMUNION

WE CRY MANNA WHAT IS IT
AND GOD REPLIES
SIGNS AND PROOFS OF MY LOVE
FOR JESUS SAYS
I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE
IF YOU COME TO ME
YOU WILL NEVER BE HUNGRY
IF YOU BELIEVE IN ME
YOU WILL NEVER BE THIRSTY

WE CRY MANNA WHAT IS IT
AND JESUS SAYS
I HAVE COME LIKE WHEAT
THAT IS BROKEN AND GROUND DOWN
BY YOUR SINS
BY YOUR INGRATITUDE
AND I SAY
THAT I AM BREAD
AND I LIVE IN THAT BREAD
TAKE
EAT
AND REMEMBER ME

AND JESUS SAYS
I HAVE COME LIKE GRAPES
BROKEN AND CRUSHED
BY YOUR INGRATITUDE
AND I SAY
THAT I AM WINE
AND I LIVE IN THAT WINE
TAKE
DRINK
AND REMEMBER ME

AND THIS GIFT
AMONG ALL THE GIFTS THAT GOD GIVES US
IS THE GREATEST GIFT
THIS GIFT OF BREAD AND WINE
THIS GIFT OF BODY AND BLOOD
THIS GIFT OF GOD HIMSELF

LET US BE GRATEFUL
AND SAY AMEN
LET US SAY AMEN
AND THANK YOU



FRANK A VOLLMER

Soliloquy in a Darkened Bedroom

SOLILOQUY
IN A DARKENED BEDROOM



WHEN I WAS YOUNG LAD
AND ON MY COT
THE CARS GOING BY
MADE MONSTERS
RUN ACROSS THE WALLS
TO HIDE IN CLOSETS
AND BENEATH MY BED
AND DARE ME TO MAKE A BATHROOM CALL
I HAVE NEW MONSTERS NOW
OF WHOM I’M NOT AFRAID
I DON’T MEAN TO SOUND SO BRAVE
BUT I’VE LIVED WITH THEM AWHILE
THEY ARE COMPANIONS OF MY OLD AGE

A READING FROM 4 ESDRAS

ETERNAL REST GRANT TO THEM OH LORD
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE. AMEN.

A COMMON QUOTE IN EARLY CHRISTIAN TIMES
A BEAUTIFUL QUOTE
BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN

IS IT THAT GOD WILL LEAVE THE LIGHT ON
SO THAT THE MONSTERS WILL BE KEPT AT BAY

IT NEVER MADE THE BIBLE
BUT WAS WIDELY CITED
AMONG THE EARLY DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH
WAS MADE PART OF THE SERVICE FOR THE DEAD

ETERNAL REST
A THING TO BE CRAVED
PERPETUAL LIGHT
NO DEMONS WILL COME NEAR

ODD THOUGHTS
BROUGHT ON BY PROLONGED BED REST
AND THE MEDICINE
THAT KEEPS ME IN A CONTINUAL STATE OF OVERDRIVE
AND LET’S MY IMAGINATION SOAR
AS SHADOWS FLY ACROSS MY ROOM
WHISPERING

WHY DO GOOD PEOPLE GIVES CHURCH’S A BAD NAME

WHY
TO QUOTE JONATHAN SWIFT
DO WE HAVE ENOUGH RELIGION TO HATE
AND NOT ENOUGH TO LOVE

WHY SHOULD THERE BE A DRESS CODE AT CHURCH
SO HIGH
THAT A POOR MAN
WOULD NOT FEEL WELCOME

WHY SHOULD A CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY
CARRY WITH IT AN APPRECIATION
OF EUROPEAN CULTURE
OR HYMNODY


WHY DO MEN SUFFER

KIND OF LATE AT NIGHT FOR THAT

NOT MUCH ELSE HAPPENING


I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT GOD GAVE JOB
A SUITABLE ANSWER


OH I WAS PROPERLY IMPRESSED
AWED
SCARED EVEN
BUT NOT IMPRESSED

WE MUST BE QUIET
SHE
WHO WATCHES OVER ME IN THE NIGHT
WILL CHECK ON ME
IF SHE HEARS A NOISE

GOD IS REALLY HER ASSISTANT
BUT HE DOESN’T KNOW IT

WE ARE MINDED THAT THE POPE
WAS COMMENDED
FOR HOW GRACEFULLY HE SUFFERED
AND HE DID

BUT IN THAT BELIEF SYSTEM
SUFFERING
CAN BE USED TO MERIT
TO ALLEVIATE
THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION
OF A SOUL IN PURGATORY
ONE CAN SUFFER THEIR MOTHER
INTO HEAVEN

OH STOP FLYING AROUND THE ROOM MARTIN
THIS IS MY ARGUMENT WITH MY SELF
NOT YOURS

I WAS ASKED ONCE WHEN I SAID THESE THINGS
HAD I FOUND GOD
I TOLD THEM I DIDN’T THINK HE WAS LOST


WHY DOES GOD ADVOCATE GENOCIDE IN THE BIBLE
IS THIS GOD’S VOICE
OR THAT OF THE AUTHOR

I WANT A GOD WHO HOLDS ME IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND
A PALM INSCRIBED WITH MY NAME
A GOD WHO LOVES ME PERSONALLY

I DO NOT THINK THAT A GOD WHO LOVES US
WOULD SPEAK TO US IN RIDDLES OR CODE


HOW MANY PARENTS
HAVE WE TORTURED AS IN HELL
BECAUSE THEIR BABIES WERE NOT BAPTIZED

IF GOD SAYS LOVE
CAN WE EXPECT HIM TO DO OTHERWISE
CAN WE DEMAND OF HIM
THE SAME HE DEMANDS OF US


THE SHADOWS FLY ACROSS THE ROOM
LESS NOW THAT DAY COMES
LIKE A WATCHMAN I WAIT FOR DAWN
MY EYES ARE GROWING WEARY
THE LIGHT COMES ON
THE MONSTERS GO TO SLEEP
AND I AM SHELTERED IN GOD’S HAND


FRANK A VOLLMER

Nostalgia

NOSTALGIA

I HAVE WATCHED THE CEASELESS SURGING
OF THE SEA ON THE SHORE
THE SURGE AND THE ROLL
THE PEBBLES FLINGING ON THE SHORE
THE MYSTERY OF THE FOG I HAVE KNOWN
THE GRACE AND SYMMETRY
OF SEA GULLS FLYING
HAS MOVED ME

I HAVE HEARD THE HAPPY LAUGH OF CHILDREN
CATCHING THE OCEAN IN A PAIL
AND WATCHED THE TIDE COME LAPPING
IN SPOILING DREAM CASTLES BACK TO SAND
I HAVE HELPED THE FISHERMEN WITH THEIR NETS
OR ROWED ON THE LAKE
LATE AT NIGHT
TO BE ALONE

I HAVE SAT WITH THEM
AT NIGHT ON THE SHORE
TIRED FROM WORK
EATING SUPPER
TELLING JOKES
DRINKING BEER
I HAVE ENJOYED THEIR TELLING OF THE WEATHER
TOMORROW WOULD BE FAIR OR FOUL THEY'D SAY
THE WIND THE CLOUDS THE SEA BIRDS FLIGHT
HAVE TOLD ME SO
AND IT WOULD BE SO IT WOULD BE SO
I WONDER IF THEY WOULD BE SO EAGER TO GO
IF THEY COULD TELL THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AS EASY AS THE WEATHER
BUT... NO… NO… IT IS BETTER THEY DO NOT KNOW

JERUSALEM…JERUSALEM
HOW MANY MEMORIES HAS A NAME
JERUSALEM…JERUSALEM... JERUSALEM
THERE TO GO IN MY FATHER' S NAME

JERUSALEM…JERUSALEM

BORN IN A SUBURB
TO DIE THE SAME


MY COMPANIONS CALL

IT'S TIME TO GO

GOOD BUDDIES THERE

JAMES

JOHN SO INNOCENT

PETER STRONG

I WOULD TARRY

THEY SAY COME

I WOULD LINGER

THEY SAY GO

I WOULD STAY

BUT NOT MY WAY

BUT I SHALL MISS

AND I SHALL WANT

AND I SHALL LOVE

THE CEASELESS SURGING OF THE SEA

FRANK A VOLLMER

Rowboats

ROWBOATS


THE BOATS WERE GATHERED AROUND THE DOCK
WONDERING WHERE THEIR SAILORS WERE
SOON THEY WOULD BE PUT AWAY
IT WAS THE TIME
FOR THE PUTTING AWAY
THE TOYS OF SUMMER
THE TREES HAD DRESSED FOR ONE LAST DANCE
THE HAWK GOOSE AND BLACKBIRD
DECORATED THE SKY WITH THEIR PASSING
THE LOON
IT SEEMS JUST RECENTLY BORN
WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFFS
AWKWARD AND UNGAINLY
MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM LAKE TO OCEAN
AS AWKWARD AND UNGAINLY
AS MOST TRANSITIONS ARE
AND THE LAKE
FLAT AS A MIRROR
SENT A RIPPLE
TO PASS BENEATH THE DOCK
WHERE I SAT
ENJOYING THE WARM FALL DAY
RESTING FROM THE PUTTING AWAY OF TOYS
WAS IT AN ANSWER FROM GOD
FOR A PRAYER I'D SAID
AND ANSWERED
AS SO MANY PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED
WHEN THE WORLD IS IN TRANSITION
AND IN THE MIDST OF CHANGE
WE SEE A LEAF IN FLIGHT
ACTING AS IT WERE ENJOYING THE MOMENT
WE LIFT WITH THE LEAF
WE FEEL ITS JOY AND FREEDOM
SO THAT WE ARE MOVED TO TAKE A STICK
AND RIPPLE THE WATER
SENDING A THANK YOU
BACK TO GOD

FRANK A VOLLMER

Sign

SIGN


HE WOKE ONE MORNING BEFORE DAWN
AND IN THE QUIET
AND LONELINESS OF THE HOUR
SAID
GOD
GIVE ME A SIGN THAT YOU DO EXIST
BUT NO ANSWER CAME

BUT A MILLION CELLS
LIVED
DIED
REPRODUCED

AT DAWN
THE SUN CAME UP
WITH MATHEMATICAL PRECISION
AND COLORS
THAT CHALLENGE AN ARTIST’S PALETTE

AND QUIETLY
A MILLION CELLS
LIVED
DIED
REPRODUCED
WHILE HE WALKED THE EARTH
HELD IN PLACE BY GRAVITY

GIVE ME A SIGN
THAT I MIGHT BELIEVE IN YOU
HE CRIED
WHILE TIDES
AND PLANETS
MOVED
TO SCHEDULE

LIKE A SLAVE
LONGING FOR THE EVENING SHADOWS
OR A HIRED MAN
WAITING EAGERLY
FOR HIS WAGES
HE WAITED FOR A SIGN
AS THE EARTH PUSHED BACK
WITH FORCE EQUAL TO HIS WEIGHT
SO HE WOULD NOT SINK INTO THE GROUND


HE WAS A GOOD MAN
HE LOVED HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN
HE DID NOT QUESTION THE SOURCE OF THAT LOVE
IT WAS JUST THERE
HE WAS AN HONORABLE MAN
WHO WORKED TO MAKE A BETTER WORLD
AND NEVER QUESTIONED THE SOURCE OF THAT IMPULSE
THERE WERE TIMES HE FELT AN INCREDIBLE LONELINESS
AND DID NOT KNOW WHY
LOST IN A FOREST
HE SAW NO TREES

WITH NIGHT
CAME THE WONDER
OF SUNSET AND EVENING SKY
AND HE REPEATED HIS MORNING PRAYER
HE DID NOT HEAR THE WHISPERINGS ALL AROUND HIM
AND RETIRED
DISAPPOINTED AGAIN



FRANK A VOLLMER

Among the Stones

AMONG THE STONES


I AM DOWN AMONG THE STONES
AMONG THE ROCKS THAT LITTER THE SHORE
AMONG THE POOLS THE OCEAN HAS LEFT
LITTLE TREASURE TROVES OF SEA LIFE
I AM DOWN AMONG THE STONES
IT IS PEACEFUL HERE
THE OCEAN IS A SIBILANT IN THE DISTANCE

I AM BETWEEN THE TIDES
I AM BETWEEN INFUSIONS
THE POURING IN OF MEDICINES
TO MAKE ME WELL

ODD WORD FOR ME
IT HAS ALWAYS MEANT
THE POURING IN OF THE SPIRIT
HIS INDWELLING IN ME
HIS WORKING LIKE THE MEDICINES
DRIVING OUT THE BAD

THE MEDICINE
IS GIVEN TO ME
WHEN I AM AT MY BEST
BETWEEN THESE TIMES
THERE COMES THE POINT
WHEN I AM AT MY WORST
PHYSICALLY
EMOTIONALLY
THEY CALL IT THE NADIR

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TROUBLED
AND UNSURE
ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE
PAIN AND SORROW
SHOULD I BE ANGRY AT MY FATE
SHOULD I ACCEPT IT
AND MAKE IT WORK
OR WILL I BE OVERWHELMED BY IT
IN TRUTH I OFTEN HAVE DONE ALL THREE
SOMETIMES SIMULTANEOUSLY

THE BEST SEEMS TO BE
TAKE IT AND MAKE IT WORK
TO TRY TO BE AT PEACE

SO I AM DOWN
AMONG THE STONES
AMONG THE ROCKS
QUIET AND PEACEFUL IN THIS PLACE
BETWEEN THE TIDES
BETWEEN INFUSIONS
I AM OPEN
TO THE WHISPERINGS OF THE SPIRIT
WHICH STRANGELY SOUND
LIKE THE SIBILANT SOUNDS OF THE SEA

FRANK A VOLLMER

A Poem for Newlyweds

A POEM FOR NEWLYWEDS


I LOVE YOU
IT'S SIMPLY SAID
AND ALL THE OTHER WORDS I'VE USED
BOILS DOWN TO THIS
I LOVE YOU
I'VE OFTEN WISHED
I COULD SAY IT ONCE WELL
WITH ALL THE MAJESTY OF LANGUAGE
TO TELL IT ONCE WELL
AND BE DONE WITH THE TELLING
BUT IT SEEMS LOVE NEEDS TELLING
IT ENJOYS THE TELLING
BUT WHY ONLY ONE WORD
FOR I LOVE SUNSETS AND SWEET WINE
LONG COUNTRY WALKS AND DOG'S COLD MUZZLE
FRIEND'S EASY LAUGHTER OR GROANS FOR MY JOKES
A MAN'S HANDSHAKE WHEN MY FINGERS HURT
THE SAME STRENGTH IN A WOMAN'S EYES
DOES EACH NEW THING I LOVE
PREPARE MY HEART
TO LOVE THE NEXT THING BETTER
DOES EACH NEW LOVE EXPAND MY HEART
IS THIS WHY THEN
WITH ONE SMALL WORD
THE UNIVERSE IS TOLD
IS THIS WHY THEN
WITH ALL THE BURNING IN MY HEART
TO HAVE IT SAID IN WORDS IMMORTAL
IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO THIS
I LOVE YOU


frank a vollmer

Unicorn

UNICORN


HOW BEAUTIFUL THE MIST IN THE MOUNTAIN VALLEYS
IT LIES ON THE LAKE LIKE A COMFORTER
IT CALLS ME TO THE WOODS TO WALK IN IT
IT SEEMS TO GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING
WHEN THE WORLD WAS NEW
AND NOT QUITE DRY
WHERE ONE COULD WALK THE FOGGY PATH
AND SEE THE WORLD IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT

PATHS THAT ONE KNEW WELL
TOOK ON A ESPECIAL APPEARANCE
WITH PEARLS OF WATER
LINING EVERYTHING
IT WAS A TIME WHERE ONE MIGHT EXPECT
AROUND THE BEND
TO MEET A UNICORN
A THING OF BEAUTY

IT WAS EASY TO GET LOST
NOT PAYING ATTENTION
CARRIED AWAY BY THE DREAM LANDSCAPE
EASY TO GET LOST

A RULE OF OUTDOORS IS
WHEN LOST STAND STILL
SOMEONE WILL FIND YOU
DON'T WANDER FURTHER AWAY

THERE IS A RULE IN SPIRITUALITY
THAT SAYS
WHEN YOUR MIND IS CLOUDY
AND GOD SEEMS FAR AWAY
KEEP DOING WHAT YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING
TILL THE FOG LIFTS
IT'S CALLED THE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL

AND AS I STOOD LOST
IN A SLEEPLESS NIGHT
WITH A MIND THAT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN
LEARNING NAMES OF MEDICINES
AND PROCEDURES
AND THE WORD ONCOLOGY


HOW WE DESTROY
TO REBUILD

HOW I MUST SWALLOW THE WITCHES BREW
THAT MIGHT CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS
WHICH WOULD NEED SEPARATE CURES
A FOGGY NIGHT IN MY MIND INDEED

BUT I WAS NOT ALONE
AND NEVER HAD BEEN
FOR JESUS CAME AND SAID
BE AT PEACE AND STAY WHERE YOU ARE
YOU WERE AND NEVER WHERE ALONE

YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS
AND THOUGH I MAY SEEM FAR FROM YOU
WHEN MEDICINE AND SICKNESS CLOUD YOUR MIND
I HAVE NEVER LEFT

AND WHEN THE FOG LIFTS
I SHALL RETURN
MOUNTED ON A UNICORN
AND I SHALL SAY TO YOU
CLIMB UP SINGER MAN
WE HAVE MUCH BEAUTY STILL TO DO

FRANK A VOLLMER

Soliloquy #3

SOLILOQUY #3

ANOTHER SLEEPLESS NIGHT
BROUGHT ON BY MEDICINE
AND THOUGHTS OF KATRINA

I WILL RESTORE ORDER
THE GREAT MAN SAID
TO THE HUNGRY AND THIRSTY
I WILL RESTORE ORDER

NO THOUGHT OF USING
THE MIGHTY MACHINES OF WAR
TO DELIVER FOOD
LIKE THEY BUILD A BRIDGE IN IRAQ
INSTANTLY

IS THIS THE WAY WE HANDLE OUR POOR
RESTORE ORDER
AND THE CRY OF THE POOR
BECOMES LIKE THE RUMBLE OF DISTANT THUNDER

SO POOR BLACK MEN LOOTED
AND POOR WHITE MEN STOLE BREAD
AND NOTED PUNDITS SAID
WE ARE SEVEN MEALS AWAY FROM ANARCHY
BUT I WILL RESTORE ORDER
AND WHEN WE GET AROUND TO IT
FOOD

WHEN JESUS
WANTED TO SHOW JOHN WHO HE WAS
HE SAID
TELL HIM THE POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL
PREACHED TO THEM

FIRST WE MAKE THEM POOR
THEN COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR POVERTY

WE HAVE NO DARK AGES
BUT MANY DARK PAGES
LIKE SEPARATE DRINKING FOUNTAINS
BATHROOMS
SCHOOLS
CHURCHES
PLACES ON A BUS
LITTLE CHILDREN
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
REMOVE THE CAUSE OF THE PAIN

GRADUALLY
THE SITUATION BETTERS
BUT THE POOR
ARE STILL LOOKING FOR
THOSE WHO PRACTICE
WHAT THEY PREACH


FRANK A VOLLMER

She Who Never Sleeps

SHE WHO NEVER SLEEPS



God is himself Love, and it is because of love that we pursue him. In his ineffable majesty he is our Father, but in the comfort ‘ he extends to us he has become our mother. Yes, the Father in his love became a woman, and the Son whom he brought forth from himself is strong proof of this.




SO SAYS THE HOLY MAN CLEMENT
IN THE COMFORT HE EXTENDS
HE BECOMES OUR MOTHER

HOW REASSURING
BEHIND THE TRADITIONAL
HARSH FACE OF THE FATHER
THERE IS A WOMAN
WATCHING OVER US

SHE WHO WATCHES OVER ME
IS PATTERNED
AFTER SUCH A GOD

THROUGH ALL MY PHYSICAL AFFLICTIONS
AND DEEP DEPRESSION
SHE HAS BEEN WITH ME
TENDING ME
NURSING ME
CHASING AWAY SHADOWS
PULLING ME TOWARD THE LIGHT

WITHOUT A GRUMBLE
WELL MAYBE A LITTLE
SHE’S NO SAINT
WELL MAYBE IN TRAINING

EVEN NOW I MUST BE QUIET
IF I MAKE A NOISE
OUT OF THE DARKNESS I HEAR
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT


HOW DID I MANAGE
TO HAVE SUCH A PEARL


WITH APOLOGIES TO DAVID I SAY
SHE NEITHER SLUMBER
NOR SLEEPS
WHO WATCHES OVER ME

IF THESE ARE THE FINAL DAYS OF MY JOURNEY
I COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER COMPANION
TO WATCH THE SUNSET COME DOWN
A GLORIOUS FINISH

FRANK A VOLLMER

Elijah

ELIJAH

AND I LOOKED FOR THE LORD
WALKING THE HIGH RIDGE BUFFETED BY STORM
WATCHING THE AVALANCHE COME CRASHING DOWN
AND CRIED
WHERE ARE YOU LORD
BUT HEARD ONLY THE WIND

I STOOD BEFORE A WATERFALL
AND WATCHED THE MAGNIFICENT PLUNGE OF WATER
DEAFENED BY ITS ROAR
AND CRIED
WHERE ARE YOU LORD

THE WOODS CAUGHT FIRE THE FLAME RAGED FIERCE
THE HEAT BROKE ROCKS
RELENTLESS WAS THE FLAME
IT COULD NOT BE CONTAINED
AND I CRIED
WHERE ARE YOU GOD

THEN ONE FALL DAY
BY A LITTLE BROOK
WITH BUT THE SUN TO WARM ME
A BIT OF A BREEZE SPUN SOME LEAVES
AND SAID
HERE

A Meditation

A MEDITATION


IF ANYONE WOULD COME AFTER ME
HE MUST DENY HIMSELF
TAKE UP HIS CROSS
AND FOLLOW ME.


HOW MANY TIMES WE HAVE BEEN TOLD
IT’S THE CROSS WE MUST BEAR
FAMILY TRIALS
SICKNESS
ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES
DEATH

I DO NOT BELIEVE
THE NORMAL TRIALS
AND TRAVAILS
OF ORDINARY LIFE
ARE SENT AS TESTS

WE FAIL SO MANY
AND IF MY SUFFERING
HAS NO RELIGIOUS VALUE
WHAT GOOD IS SUFFERING

IT BOTHERS ME
AS AN ANACHRONISM
THAT CHRIST WOULD SAY
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS
A CROSS WAS NOT THE JEWISH WAY OF DEATH
STONING WAS

I COULD SEE
TAKE UP YOUR YOKE
YOUR BURDENS
AND FOLLOW ME
FOR IN ME
YOU WILL FIND REST

BUT NOT THE CROSS

WHAT ELSE COULD HE MEAN

PALESTINE
WAS AN OCCUPIED COUNTRY
AND THE ROMAN ARMY KEPT THE PEACE
AND THEY
AS SO MANY SOCIETIES
HAVE DONE
USED THE DEATH PENALTY
TO CURB CRIME

A COMMON SIGHT
WAS A PERSON
WITH THE UPPER PART OF THE CROSS
TIED ACROSS THEIR SHOULDERS
AND FORCED TO MARCH
FROM THE COURT TO THE CRUCIFIXION PLACE

PART OF THE RITUAL
WAS TO MAKE THE DYING
AS HORRIBLE AS POSSIBLE
THE SOLDIERS BORED WITH THE TASK
INURED TO THE SUFFERING
WOULD CRUCIFY UPSIDE DOWN
SIDEWAYS
IMPALED ON A SPIKE
STRIPPED NAKED

THE PEOPLE SEEING THE PROCESSION
WOULD SAY
CRIMINAL

BUT I THINK WHAT CHRIST IS SAYING
YOU MUST BE WILLING TO APPEAR
LIKE A COMMON CRIMINAL
LIKE ONE
SOCIETY
IS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH

LIKE BONHOFFER
LIKE MARTIN LUTHER
LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING

I REMEMBER A LEARNED BISHOP SAYING
IT IS NOT PROPER FOR CHURCH PEOPLE
TO MARCH IN FREEDOM MARCHES
AND BE ARRESTED
IT DOESN’T LOOK GOOD FOR THE CHURCH

BUT CHRIST SAYS
UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING
TO TAKE THE CROSS
AND WALK TO THE JEERS OF THE CROWD
YOU CANNOT FOLLOW ME

IF ANYONE WOULD COME AFTER ME
HE MUST DENY HIMSELF
TAKE UP HIS CROSS
AND FOLLOW ME


FRANK A VOLLMER

Dietrich's Death

DIETRICH’S DEATH


FROM PRISON CELL TO KILLING GROUND
HE WENT PEACEFULLY
QUIETLY
AT EASE WITH HIMSELF
HIS GOD
AND HIS ACTIONS

HE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER
NOT EVERY ACTION WAS NOBLE
BUT EVENTUALLY
HE DID WHAT HE FELT HE HAD TO DO
AND HE FELT CONTENT

HE WALKED NAKED
TO THE DERISION OF THE GUARDS
YOU SAVED JEWS
SAVE YOURSELF
HE MUTTERED NOT A WORD
LIKE A LAMB BEING LED TO SLAUGHTER
LIKE A TRAITOR TO THE GALLOWS
BUT HE HAD WRITTEN

The church must fight evil in three stages:
The first was to question state injustice and call the state to responsibility;
The second was to help the victims of injustice, whether they were church members or not.
Ultimately, however, the church might find itself called "not only to help the victims who have fallen under the wheel, but to fall into the spokes of the wheel itself" in order to halt the machinery of injustice

AND HE HAD ELECTED
TO BE A SPOKE
HIS MOTTO
FROM PROVERBS WAS

Open your mouth for the mute

HE REGRETTED THE SUBTERFUGE
REQUIRED FROM BEING A SPOKE
HE HAD WRITTEN


We have been silent witnesses of evil deeds: we have been drenched by many storms; we have learnt the arts of equivocation and pretence; experience has made us suspicious of others and kept us from being truthful and open; intolerable conflicts have worn us down and even made us cynical. Are we still of any use


HE FELT CALM
AS HE WALKED
EMITTING PEACE


Only the one for whom the final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all these, when in faith and sole allegiance to God he is called to obedient and responsible action: the responsible person, whose life will be nothing but an answer to God's question and call

FOR GRACE DID NOT COME CHEAP

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate


THE CHURCH HAD SOLD ITS BIRTHRIGHT
IT WANTED CHEAP GRACE

The church is the church only when it exists for others. The church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not by dominating but by helping and serving


AND IN HIS REFLECTIONS ON DEATH
HE WROTE

Whenever Christ calls us, his call leads us to death

AND


This is the end, for me the beginning of life

HE WOULD SAY TO US

Keep well
Enjoy the beautiful country
Spread joy around you
And keep it to yourself as well

HE KEEP REPEATING
JOY
JOY
JOY
UNTIL THE ROPE TIGHTENED
AND HE WAS GONE


FRANK A VOLLMER


Dietrich Bonhoeffer
1906-45
GERMAN MARTYR UNDER NAZISM

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (February 4, 1906 – April 9, 1945) was a German Christian religious leader and participant in the resistance movement against Nazism. Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor and theologian, took part in the plots being planned by members of the Abwehr (Military Intelligence Office) to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually hanged following the failure of the July 20, 1944 assassination attempt

Nicodemus

NICODEMUS



GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS
AND SECOND CHANCES
HERE I AM AGAIN

DID NICODEMUS UNDERSTAND
WHEN JESUS SAID
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN
AND GOT HUNG UP ON BIOLOGY

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN
EACH MORNING BORN AGAIN
AS IF RISING FROM YOUR BATH

NICODEMUS DID YOU KNOW
FIRST BORN
WET FROM YOUR MOTHER'S WOMB
THAT YOU WERE GOD'S SPECIAL CHILD
AS WE ALL ARE

OH NICODEMUS
GROWN SO OLD
AND ASKING THE SAME QUESTIONS
I HAVE COME TO BRING WATER
TO THE WORLD
AND BLOOD
TO BRING LIFE
I HAVE COME TO LOVE THE WORLD
AND SAVE IT


MASTER
I HAVE ALWAYS FELT SPECIAL TO GOD
AND COULD NOT COMPREHEND
THE EVIL DONE IN GOD'S NAME
LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO KILL YOU

MY DREAM IS ALWAYS THAT MEN WILL CHANGE
MY HOPE IS ALWAYS THAT MEN WILL CHANGE



NICODEMUS
BE AT MY DEATH AND BURIAL
I WOULD LIKE A FRIENDLY HAND THERE
I HAVE SUCH A NEED FOR LOVE

FOR NOW OLD FRIEND
LET US SIT BY YOUR FIRE
FRIENDLY
AND IN GOOD HUMOR

IN THE SURE HOPE
OF NEW BEGINNINGS
AND SECOND CHANCES

OH GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS
AND SECOND CHANCES
HERE WE ARE AGAIN

FRANK A VOLLMER

Fisher of Men

FISHER OF MEN

WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE YOUNG
WE SPENT EACH SUMMER
CAMPING IN THE WOODS OF PENNSYLVANIA
OVER TIME
MY CHILDREN BECAME EXPERT FISHERMEN
EVEN TODAY
MY CHILDREN FISH IN PLACES
LIKE ALASKA, MEXICO, MAINE, JAPAN, PENNSYLVANIA AND CALIFORNIA
THEY ARE KIND OF ADDICTED TO FISHING

DAD DID NOT FISH
HE WAS TOO BUSY BAITING HOOKS
POOR DAD

SO ONE FATHER’S DAY
MY CHILDREN GAVE ME A POCKET FISHERMAN
WHICH WAS A FOLD UP FISHING POLE
WITH A SET OF HOOKS

NEXT DAY
EARLY IN THE MORNING
I PICKED UP
MY POCKET FISHERMAN
AND WALKED TO THE LAKE
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL MORNING
WITH FOG
LAYING ON THE GROUND
ABOUT FOUR FEET THICK
SO THAT ALL YOU COULD SEE
OF ME
OR ANYONE ELSE
WAS OUR HEADS

WHEN I GOT TO THE LAKE
I SAW A MAN FISHING
SO OUT OF COURTESY
I MOVE A HUNDRED FEET AWAY FROM HIM
I UNFOLDED MY FISHING POLE
BAITED MY HOOK
REACHED BACK WITH MY POLE
MADE A PERFECT CAST
AND CAUGHT THE TREE BEHIND ME

AFTER A TERRIFIC FIGHT WITH THE TREE
I FREED MY HOOK
BUT NOT BEFORE I HAD AWAKENED
EVERY BIRD IN THE FOREST
NOT TO MENTION
SEVERAL SCOLDING SQUIRRELS
AND SORRY TO SAY
MY FISHING COMPANION
WHO WAS A HUNDRED FEET AWAY
LEFT IN ABSOLUTE DISGUST
AT MY AMATEURISHNESS

IF AT THAT MOMENT
JESUS HAD WALKED THROUGH THE MIST
AND SAID TO ME
FRANK
I WILL MAKE YOU A FISHER OF MEN
I WOULD HAVE SAID
YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING

BUT GOD IS GOOD AT TAKING
THE BROKEN SPEAR
THE UNBROKEN HORSE
THE INEPT FISHERMAN
AND WORKING HIS WILL THROUGH THEM


SO JESUS SAYS
INVITING ME TO BE HIS DISCIPLE
INVITING ME
KNOWING I AM NOT UP TO THE JOB
INVITING ME
KNOWING
THAT AS A FISHERMAN
I OFTEN CATCH TREES

BUT HIS MIGHT
WILL MAKE UP
FOR MY LACK

HE INVITES ME
BECAUSE A LONELY GOD
NEEDS ME
FOR A FRIEND
AND CO-WORKER

HE SAYS
COME
COME MY BELOVED
COME
MY LITTLE CATCHER OF TREES
COME
I WILL MAKE YOU A FISHER OF MEN

COME
BE WITH ME
BECAUSE I LOVE YOU
COME
COME
AND BE MY FRIEND




FRANK A VOLLMER

Farewell

FAREWELL

HE ENJOYED WATCHING THEM WORK
GATHERING THEIR NETS
OR DRYING THEM
SORTING THE FISH
NO WASTED MOTION
WORKMEN DOING THEIR WORK
WELL
TEAM WORK

IT REMINDED HIM OF JOSEPH
HOW THEY COULD WORK IN THE SHOP
LAUGHING OR QUIET
AS THE MOOD CAME ON
WORKMEN DOING THEIR JOB
PROUD AND WELL

I GIVE YOU THE KEYS
TO WORK WORN HANDS
I GIVE THE KEYS
I SHALL MISS YOU ALL

AND THEN HE WAS GONE

AND THEY STOOD THERE
SEARCHING THE SKY
AS FISHERMEN WILL
CHECKING THE WEATHER

MEN OF GALILEE
THE ANGEL SAID
WHY SEARCH YOU THE HEAVENS
YOUR WORK IS HERE

BUT WE ARE AFRAID
SAID THE FISHERMEN
AS WELL YOU MIGHT BE
SAID THE ANGEL
IF YOU WERE LEFT ALONE

BUT YOU ARE NOT ALONE
NOT ALONE
FOR AS SURE
AS THE RUNNING OF THE SEA
OR EBBING TIDE
IS HIS FAITHFULNESS AND LOVE
AND HE HAS NOT LEFT YOU LONELY
HE HAS NOT LEFT YOU LONELY
HE HAS NOT LEFT YOU LONELY

F. A. VOLLMER

I Must Remember

I MUST REMEMBER...



I MUST REMEMBER TO BE GRATEFUL
I AM
BUT OFTEN WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING
IT’S HARD TO REMEMBER RAIN
I MUST REMEMBER TO BE THANKFUL

I WAS AT DEATH’S DOOR
I HEARD THE SIREN CALL
COME
END PAIN
CONFUSION
LIMITED MOBILITY
HALTING SPEECH
CONFUSION
AND I WAS TEMPTED
MOROSE
I WANTED OUT
I WAS SEVERELY TEMPTED

I'VE ALWAYS FELT
I WAS ONE OF GOD’S FAVORITES
AND I WAS DEEPLY ASHAMED
AND PUT GOD FAR AWAY
BUT HE WOULDN'T GO

SEE LOVE
HE SAID
SEE ME
IN YOUR WIFE
CHILDREN
CHILDREN’S CHILDREN
FRIENDS
PEOPLE WHO OPEN DOORS
AND OFFER SEATS
SEE GOD IN GOODNESS AROUND YOU
ALL OF THEM SINGING LIVE
THERE WOULD BE A HOLE IN OUR HEART
IF YOU WERE GONE
LIVE

MY WIFE’S CARE
LAUGHTER OF CHILDREN
PRAYER OF FRIENDS
AND STRANGERS
CALLED ME BACK FROM THE DOOR

LIKE COMING UP FROM A DEEP PLACE
LIKE COMING UP FROM WATER
LIKE COMING OUT OF THE FONT
AFTER IMMERSION
LIVE
CHILD OF GOD
LIVE

AND THEN I TOLD A JOKE
GOOD FOR ME
NOT SO GOOD FOR EVERYONE ELSE
AND KNEW I WAS ON THE MEND

I MUST REMEMBER TO BE GRATEFUL
FOR THE LOVE ALL AROUND ME
AND GOD’S HAND
ALWAYS
ON MY SHOULDER


FRANK A VOLLMER

Come Holy Goose (Acts 2)

COME HOLY GOOSE

IT DIDN'T START OUT TO BE A NOISY DAY
IN FACT THEY WERE TRYING TO BE INVISIBLE
HIDDEN BEHIND LOCKED DOORS

HE’D GONE AWAY
AND THE WAY A CHILD IS CONSOLED
BY THE SOUND OF ITS PARENT VOICE
WAS DENIED THEM

WHEN SUDDENLY THE SHUTTERS BLEW OPEN
AND KEPT BANGING BACK AND FORTH
THE ROOM WAS FILLED WITH A RUSHING WIND
THAT BLEW EVERYTHING LOOSE
AROUND THE ROOM

THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH WIND
THEY WERE FISHERMEN
WHAT THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH
WERE TONGUES OF FIRE
THAT SETTLES ON THEIR HEADS
BUT DID NOT BURN
DID NOT BURN
BUT INFLAMED THEM

SO THAT THE ROOM WAS TOO SMALL
THEY RUSHED OUT TO MEET A CROWD
GATHERED BY THE SOUND OF THE WIND
AND NO MATTER
WHAT LANGUAGE
THE QUESTION
WHAT HAPPENED
WAS ASKED
THE ANSWER THEY HEARD WAS THEIR OWN LANGUAGE

AMONG THE CROWD WAS HEARD
WERE NOT THESE
THE COWARDS
THAT RAN AWAY
BUT NOW THEY SPEAK WITH ENTHUSIASM
LIKE MEN
DRUNK BEFORE THE NOON DAY HOUR
PROCLAIMING THE MERCY OF GOD

IN CELTIC TIMES
THE HOLY SPIRIT
WAS OFTEN PORTRAYED
AS A WILD GOOSE
A FITTING SYMBOL
FOR A RAUCOUS BIRTHDAY
NOT THE DOVE
COOING PEACEFULLY ON THE NEST
CONTENT
BUT A BOLD BRASH IMAGE
AN IN YOUR FACE BIRD
NO ONE HARMS WHAT IS MINE BIRD
A GET OUT OF THE PEWS AND DANCE BIRD
A MAKE YOUR VOICE BE HEARD BIRD
LET THE WORLD KNOW YOU'RE HERE BIRD

WE NEED THE DOVE
TO REMIND US THAT GOD IS GENTLE
WE NEED THE GOOSE
TO REMIND US
THAT GOD WILL BE HEARD
WE NEED THE GOOSE TO REMIND US
THAT THERE IS NEVER A POLITE TIME TO BE HEARD
IF YOUR BROTHER CRIES
TAKE CARE OF HIM
WE NEED TO LIVE LIKE THE WILD GOOSE LIVES
TRUE TO HIS NATURE
AND NOISY


FRANK A VOLLMER

The Birds

FROM: SONGS FOR A FRIEND

THE BIRDS

IT WASN'T THAT HE DIDN'T LIKE CHRISTMAS
HE ENJOYED THE HOLIDAY FUN
ALL THE BRIGHT COLORS AND SUDDEN GOOD WILL
AND THE CHILDREN'S HAPPY SUSPENSE

BUT HE COULDN'T BELIEVE IN CHRISTMAS
IN THE INCARNATION I MEAN
GOD LIVING A MAN-LIFE LIKE HIS? WHAT FOR?
IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO HIM

HE SAT BY THE FIRE
WARM IN HIS HOME
ON CHRISTMAS EVE ALONE
THE FAMILY GONE OFF TO MIDNIGHT MASS

HE HEARD A THUMP AT THE WINDOW
AND THEN ANOTHER
SOME MISCHIEF BOY OUT FOR FUN HE THOUGHT
HE WENT TO THE WINDOW TO CHASE HIM WITH A GLANCE

BUT FOUND NO BOY
BUT A SPARROW FLOCK
LURED BY THE LIGHT AND SIGHT OF WARMTH
HAD TRIED TO COME THROUGH HIS WINDOW

THEY HUDDLED NOW IN THE SNOW
WITH NO PLACE TO GO
AND HE FELT COMPASSION FOR THEM
HE PUT ON HIS BOOTS AND JACKET AND SCARF
AND OUT HE WENT TO OPEN THE GARAGE
TO GIVE THEM SHELTER

BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
SO HE TURNED ON THE LIGHT
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
HE WENT AND GOT BREAD
AND THREW IT MANNA LIKE UPON THE SNOW
A PATH TO FOLLOW
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME
HE TRIED TO HERD THEM IN
SHOUTING AND WAVING HIS ARMS
BUT THEY WOULD NOT COME

I'M SCARING THEM HE THOUGHT
I'M SO BIG COMPARED TO THEM
AND DIFFERENT

IF BUT FOR A MOMENT I COULD BE A SPARROW
I COULD LEAD THEM THROUGH THE DOOR
I COULD LEAD THEM THROUGH.....THE DOOR



(a twice told tale)

FRANK A. VOLLMER

The Shell

THE SHELL


IS IT JUST HIS DEATH THAT WE REMEMBER
IN THIS GIVING OF THIS CUP
THIS SHELL THIS BAPTISMAL DEVICE
THIS GOLDEN SCALLOP
THAT SCOOPS UP WATER FROM THE FONT
AND TRICKLES IT DOWN OUR HEAD
AND CALL US TO BE CHRISTIAN

DO WE JUST REMEMBER HIS DEATH
OR MORE FOR IS NOT THE CUP A SYMBOL POOR
OF SOME GREAT WAVE THAT OVERWHELMS US
SPILLING US FROM OUR FEET
PLUNGING US INTO A VIOLENT SEA
BEATING PUMMELING CHOKING BRUISING
UNTIL WE STRUGGLE TO OUR FEET
GASPING AIR AS SOMETHING PRECIOUS
WILLING TO LIVE

A BETTER SYMBOL PERHAPS OF THAT TIME
WHEN ALL THAT WAS MY FATHER CEASED
AND ALL HE WANTED TO BE BECAME
A GOING AWAY AND COMING BACK
A SAYING OF HELLO -GOODBYE
TO CALL MY FATHER A SAINT
WOULD BE TO NOT REMEMBER HIM

BUT TO CALL HIM A MAN
WHO LAUGHED AND LONGED YEARNED AND DREAMED
WHO CRIED OUT OFTEN IN THE DARKNESS OF HIS BEING
WHO WAS OFTEN ANGRY HURT OR IN SOME PAIN
WHO LOVED WITH BOTH A LARGE AND NARROW HEART
WHO WANTED LOVE APPLAUSE AND OTHER MAN'S ESTEEM
WHO SAW DREAMS CRUMBLE IN HIS ALL THUMBS HAND
WHO CRIED OH GOD TELLS ME WHO I AM
THIS PICTURE OF A MAN WHO AS I GROW
BECOMES SURPRISINGLY JUST LIKE ME

THIS CUP IN WHOSE HOLLOW I CAN HEAR THE OCEAN'S ROAR
THIS SYMBOL OF AN OCEAN POOR
THIS GOING DOWN TO DEATH
TO BE CALLED BACK BY WATER
RUNNING LIKE RAINDROPS ON THE FACE
LIKE MY TEARS FALLING AS MY FATHER WENT
FOR REBIRTH
AND THE BEGINNING OF DREAMS



FRANK A VOLLMER