Any

ANY

OH GOSH OH GOLLY OH GEE

I CAN’T FIND THE ANY KEY

I’VE LOOKED HIGH AND LOW

AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW

I CAN’T FIND THE ANY KEY

THE DIRECTIONS ARE CLEAR AND PRECISE

INSERT THE CD IN THE DEVICE

AND THEN HIT THE ANY KEY

OH MERCY OH MERCY OH ME

WHERE OH WHERE CAN IT BE

IT’S NO WHERE NO WHERE TO BE SEEN

WHICH I THINK IS KIND OF OBSCENE

IT’S NOT IN THE F KEYS

THE NUMBER KEYS

THE LETTER KEYS

THE SYMBOL KEYS

MY HOUSE KEY

OR ANY WHERE

OR MY UNDERWEAR

WHERE OH WHERE CAN IT BE

SO FRIENDS IN PLACES HIGH AND LOW

PLEASE IF YOU KNOW LET ME KNOW

WHERE OH WHERE IS THE KEY

THE ERRANT MISCHIEVOUS ANY KEY

SO I CAN GIVE IT A HOME

IT NEED NEVER ROAM

IT'LL LIVE ON MY COMPUTER FREE

FRANK A VOLLMER

The Watch

THE WATCH

I WISH THEY WOULDN^'T WEAR A WATCH AT MASS

I MEAN IT'S OUT OF PLACE WITH THE COSTUMES THAT THEY WEAR

I MEAN...HE EXTENDS HIS ARMS

AND THERE'S HIS WATCH AND HALF HIS ARM EXPOSED

IT'S ALMOST AS IF THE COSTUMES WEREN'T MADE FOR PRAYING

AS IF THEY DIDN'T FIT FOR PRAYING

BUT IT'S REALLY THE CONSECRATION

I MEAN...THERE CHRIST IS

HELD IN TIMELESS WONDER FOR US ALL TO SEE

AND THERE^'S THE WATCH

AND IT BOTHERS ME

OR SHOULD IT

PERHAPS IT HAS MORE SYMBOLISM

THAN ANYTHING ELSE WE DO

IF TIMELESS GOD COULD TAKE THE TIME

TO SEND HIS SON TO MAKE IT HOLY

THEN I SHOULD WELCOME WATCH AND HOST

AS SIGNS PORTRAYING BOTH

THAT THAT SON CAME

TO MAKE NOW HOLY

THIS TIME THIS AGE THIS MINUTE HOLY

PERHAPS WE SHOULD MAKE IT PART OF PRIESTLY GARB

THAT'S A SILLY THOUGHT

IT WOULD TAKE TWENTY CANONS AND A PAPAL LAW

AND THEOLOGICAL ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHICH ARM IS BEST

AND THEN SOME AVANT-GARDE WOULD DECLARE

THAT SUN DIALS ARE MORE SYMBOLIC

WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF NOVELTY

PERHAPS INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING

I SHOULD WELCOME

SIGHT OF CLOCK ON ARM

FOR NOW IS THE ACCEPTABLE TIME

NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION

AND NOW HE HANGS IN TIMELESS WONDER

HELD BY HANDS

AND WATCHED BY WATCH

AND HE BLESSES

NOW

FRANK A VOLLMER

Zen Garden

FIVE ROCKS THERE ARE
THOUGH IT SEES LIKE MORE
GRAVEL AND SOME MOSS

THE ROCKS ARE SMALL
THE GRAVEL RAKED
THE MOSS GROWS WHERE IT WILL

AT FIRST
I TRIED TO FIND THE MEANING OF THE STONES
WERE THEY SHIPS OR MOUNTAINS
PERHAPS A TIGER AND ITS PREY

I TRIED TO MEASURE IN MY MIND
THE SPACING OF THE ROCKS
TO MAKE THEM FIT A SCIENCE
SO MUCH HERE
SO MUCH THERE
BUT IT WOULDN'T WORK
IT WOULDN'T FIT

I STARTED TO GET UP
TO GO AWAY
TO LEAVE THE GARDEN
THAT WOULDN'T FIT MY SCIENCE

BUT HESITATED
DISTURBED BY FAILURE
AND SAT BACK DOWN

BE QUIET AND UNKNOWING
SEEMED TO SAY THE WIND
BE QUIET AND STILL
LIKE A POOL OF WATER
BE STILL AND DEEP
GIVE BACK TO THE SKY ITS BRIGHTNESS
IN THE DEPTHS OF YOUR BEING
BE STILL
THE WIND'S RIPPLES CANNOT DISTURB YOU
BE STILL
BE STILL
AND QUIET
AND KNOWING

FRANK A VOLLMER

January 15

JANUARY 15

TWO WHOLE WEEKS AHEAD

WITH NO DOCTORS

AND I HAVEN’T BEEN SICK ALL YEAR

BE STILL MY HEART

I CAN’T STAND THE EXUBERANCE

HOW WILL THE MEDICAL PROFESSION

EXIST WITHOUT ME

TWO WHOLE WEEKS

FREE FROM BLOOD TAKING

CHEMICAL INFUSION

LUNG AND HEART CHECKING

TOE NAIL CLIPPING

AND FEET EXAM

BEING FOLDED

MUTILATED AND SPINDLED

AND URINE BEING EVALUATED

AS IF IT WERE A FINE WINE

I FEEL SO HAPPY

I COULD DIE

WHAT A WONDERFUL THING IS MAN

WHAT A WONDERFUL CREATION OF GOD

WOUNDED HE STILL SURVIVES

I AM ACQUAINTED WITH DAMAGED PEOPLE

I’M ONE OF THEM MYSELF

PERHAPS WE ALL ARE IN SOME WAY DAMAGED

AND CHRIST IS THE WOUNDED PHYSICIAN

COME TO HEAL US

TO LEAD US THROUGH THE JOYS

AND PAINS OF EXISTENCE

AND TAKE US HOME WHEN IT’S OVER

AND HIS WORD TO US THROUGH ALL OF THIS

IS

PEACE

BE STILL

AND KNOW

THAT I AM

GOD

FRANK A VOLLMER

Musings

MUSINGS THIS IS MY BODY TAKE AND EAT THIS IS MY BLOOD TAKE AND DRINK SIMPLE STATEMENTS BUT SCHOLARS HAVE ARGUED FOR TWO THOUSAND YEARS AS TO THEIR MEANING AND HOW WITNESS THE SCHOLAR’S DEBATE ROMAN CATHOLIC: SACRIFICE; TRANSUBSTANTIATION EASTERN CHRISTIANITY: TRUE SACRIFICE AND OBJECTIVE PRESENCE BUT PIOUS SILENCE ON THE PARTICULARS ANGLICANS/EPISCOPALIANS: REAL PRESENCE WITH OPINION LUTHERANS - THE SACRAMENTAL UNION: "IN, WITH, AND UNDER THE FORMS" METHODISM - REAL PRESENCE AS "HOLY MYSTERY" CALVINIST REFORMED: SPIRITUAL FEEDING, "PNEUMATIC" PRESENCE ZWINGLIAN REFORMED: NO REAL PRESENCE ET CETERA ET CETERA ETCETERA WHY SHOULD IT TAKE A PHD TO UNDERSTAND GOD GOD HAS SAID IT I BELIEVE IN GOD OR OTHERWISE NOTHING MAKES SENSE I LEAN MORE TO THE EASTERN CHURCH TO THE INDWELLING OF GOD WITHIN ME IN THE JEWISH TRADITIONAL ANIMAL SACRIFICES PART OF THE ANIMAL WENT TO THE PRIEST PART WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE PART WAS GIVEN TO THE DONOR FOR A FEAST IN HONOR OF THE SACRIFICE IT WAS THOUGHT THAT GOD ENTERED INTO THE SACRIFICE BECAME ONE WITH THE SACRIFICE SO THAT WHEN PEOPLE ATE THE SANCTIFIED GIFT THEY FELT THEY WERE PARTAKING OF GOD NOT A STRANGE IDEA IN THAT PERIOD OF HISTORY IT WAS A COMMON THING THIS GOD MEAL IN ANCIENT TIMES THAT TAKING GOD WITHIN THEMSELVES THEY BECAME GOD-LIKE SINCE GOD CANNOT BE DIVIDED THEY BECAME OF GOD BECAME AS WITH ONE NATURE AND ALL THE FELLOW COMMUNICANTS BECAME AS ONE WALKING IN THE STRENGTH OF THAT MEAL FORTY DAYS FRANK A VOLLMER

Bert

BERT

BERT SHE CALLS ME
MY CAT I MEAN
SHE CALLS ME BERT
MY ORANGE FURRED TABBY
MY CHANGEABLE ORANGE FURRED TABBY
WHEN I WANT TO HOLD HER
SHE'S RELUCTANT
BUT OPEN MY MUSIC BAG
SHE'S IN IT
OPEN MY DESK DRAWER
SHE HAS TO CHECK IT OUT
GO SHOELESS
SHE'S BITING MY TOES
TAKE A NAP
SHE SITS ON MY HEAD
AND CALLS ME BERT
DUMB CAT
ONLY REASON I KEEP HER
IS BECAUSE I LIKE HER
I LIKE TO HEAR HER MOTOR RUN
WHEN SHE'S CONTENT
I LIKE THE LOOK IN HER EYES
WHEN SHE'S SITTING IN THE WINDOW
WAITING TO COME IN
I CALL HER TABBY
THE KIDS CALL HER PUSSYFOOT
WE COULD CALL HER ESMERELDA
SHE DOESN'T COME ANYWAY
BUT IF I RATTLE A FOOD BOX
SHE CALLS ME BERT
NOW SHE'S REGAL POISED AND COOL
NOW SHE'S TRYING TO CATCH HER TAIL
NOW SHE THINKS MY BEARD'S A KITTEN
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN KISSED
BY A ROUGH TONGUED CAT
DUMB CAT
SHE'S SLEEPING IN MY CHAIR
SHE'S DRINKING FROM THE FISH TANK
SHE'S FALLING IN THE BATHTUB
SHE'S SHARPENING HER CLAWS
SHE'S LOCKED IN A CLOSET
SHE'S STRANDED IN A TREE
SHE'S A BOTHER AND A NUISANCE
BUT SHE'S KIND OF CUTE TO ME
BESIDES
SHE CALLS ME BERT



FRANK A VOLLMER

The Day After

THE DAY AFTER

IT WAS THE DAY AFTER
THE SHEPHERDS HAD GONE
TRAILING LAUGHTER AND SONG
AND THE SMELL OF SHEEP
DOVES RETURNED TO NESTLE IN THE RAFTERS
IT GREW QUIET
IT GREW LONELY
IT GREW ORDINARY
THE BABY WAS ASLEEP
MARY JOSEPH NODDING
THE LET DOWN AFTER A TREMENDOUS DAY
TIRED MOTHER
TIRED HUSBAND
SLEEPING CHILD
HE DID NOT CONSIDER IT BENEATH HIM
TO BE BORN SO HUMBLE
RATHER THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE
HAVING BEEN FED
CHANGED AND BATHED
SLUMBERED PEACEFULLY
CONTENT TO BE HUMAN

FRANK A VOLLMER

Like the Sea

LIKE THE SEA

HE HEARD THE MURMUR OF THE CROWD
THROUGH HIS PAIN AND WAVERING AWARENESS
LIKE WANDERING WIND OR SOUND OF THE SEA
LIKE THE SEA
HE SAVED OTHERS ... HIMSELF HE CANNOT SAVE
COME DOWN FROM THE CROSS AND WE WILL BELIEVE
LIKE THE SEA
I AM LIVING WATER HE WHO DRINKS OF ME WILL NOT THIRST
COME ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY I WILL REFRESH YOU
LIKE THE SEA
LIKE THE RHYTHM OF THE SEA
LORD SAVE US WE PERISH
PEACE BE STILL
LIKE THE SEA
LIKE THE TIDE RUNNING OUT TO THE SEA
HE FELT HIS LIFE EBBING
I LOVE HE MEANT TO CRY
BUT CRIED I THIRST
A DAMP SPONGE WAS ON HIS LIPS
HE FELT WAVES OF GRATITUDE FLOW THROUGH HIM
BUT THEN
HE TASTED
VINEGAR




Frank AVollmer

The Sign

THE SIGN

THE SIGN SWUNG GENTLY IN THE BREEZE
SINGING A SOFT SONG TO ITSELF
UNLESS HE TRIED HE DIDN’T HEAR IT
BUT HE KNEW WHAT IT SAID
WITH PRIDE
IT SAID
JESUS
SON OF JOSEPH
MAKER OF EASY YOKES

GIVE US A SIGN
THAT WE MIGHT BELIEVE IN YOU
GIVE US A SIGN
A SHOW OF FORCE
A REGAL DISPLAY OF POWER
GIVE US A SIGN
I GIVE YOU THE YOKE
WORN RIGHT IT WILL NOT CHAFE

WHEN JOB
FINALLY
QUESTIONS
GOD

GOD ANSWERS BY TELLING HIM
HOW POWERFUL HE IS

NOT A SATISFACTORY ANSWER
FOR ONE WHO FINDS
HIS SUFFERING MEANINGLESS

NO
IF I MUST CHOOSE
BETWEEN A GOD WHO IS TRIUMPHANT
AND POWERFUL
OR A CARPENTER
WHO WILL MAKE A YOKE
COMFORTABLE
FOR A DUMB OX

I CHOOSE THE CARPENTER

frank a vollmer

On the Promenade

ON THE PROMENADE


WHAT DREW THE WOMEN TO THE PROMENADE
SOME VISCERAL FEELING
THAT THEIR MEN
WERE COMING HOME
SOME CALLING
OVER DISTANCES
THAT THEIR MEN
WERE COMING HOME

OLD WIVES TALES
I USED TO THINK
TOLD TO ME BY MY MOTHER
A CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER
AND FAMILIAR
WITH LONG JOURNEY'S SEPARATION
AND UNCERTAIN HOMING

HOW COULD THEY KNOW

BUT THEY WOULD GATHER
LIKE PIGEONS COMING HOME TO ROOST

THEY WOULD TALK
BUT THEIR EYES WERE ALWAYS OUT TO SEA

SOMETIMES THE YEARNING MUST HAVE BEEN TOO GREAT
FOR THEY WOULD GATHER WEEKS TOO SOON
THEN GO HOME SAD
AND LATER LEARN
THE SHIP HAD BEEN IN DISTRESS


THEY'D STAY AWAY FOR A WHILE
THEN SHYLY
LIKE BIRDS RETURNING AFTER A NOISE
THEY WOULD COME BACK

THEY KNEW
THEIR HEARTS WERE SAILING BACK TO THEM

STAND UPON THE PROMENADE FOR ME
WATCH THE SUN OR MOON
MAKE GOLDEN PATHS FOR ME TO FOLLOW

I AM TIRED OF STORMS
MY HEAD IS ENTITLED TO REST
TO AN END OF SHADOWS
I WANT TO FIND SAFE HARBOR IN YOUR ARMS

COME TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS AND SAY
YOUR JOURNEY'S DONE
DROP ANCHOR
YOU ARE HOME


FRANK A VOLLMER

The Dump

THE DUMP


I PROBABLY
WON'T BE COMING THIS WAY
AGAIN
TO THE DUMP I MEAN
WHERE ONE WENT
AND FOUND TREASURES
TO TAKE HOME
OR LEFT THEM
FOR ANOTHER

NOT A BAD WAY OF LIFE
GETTING
AND LEAVING
FAVORS

BUT I WON'T BE COMING THIS WAY AGAIN
THE SEA HAS CHANGED
AND NOW RUNS
IN A NEW DIRECTION
BROUGHT ON BY AGE
HEALTH
AND NEW VISIONS

PERHAPS IN THIS NEW VISION
I SHALL BE ABLE
TO FIND AND LEAVE TREASURE
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE TRADITION CONTINUE

THAT THINGS
NOT QUITE NEW
OR SERVICEABLE
WOULD BE MADE WHOLE
NOT PERFECT
BUT FUNCTIONING

GOODBYE DUMP
I SHALL MISS YOU
BUT THERE'S A BIKE
WITHOUT A CHAIN
AND A WOBBLY TABLE

NO
NO NO
COME AWAY
IT'S ANOTHER TINKERS TIME
FOR YOU IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON
TO OTHER FIELDS
OF FOUND
AND LEFT
TREASURES

frank a vollmer

Tell No One

TELL NO ONE


IMAGINE IF YOU WILL
THAT YOU ARE ATTENDING A PLAY
A DRAMA
A GREEK TRAGEDY
IN WHICH THE HERO GOES ABOUT
DOING GOOD DEEDS
AND AFTER EACH DEED
HE TELLS THE RECIPIENT
NOT TO TELL ANYONE
IT BECOMES IN THE PLAY A CHANT

DO NOT TELL
DO NOT TELL
THE GOOD DEED DONE
DO NOT TELL

HIS DOING OF GOOD
AROUSED THE ANGER
OF THE LEADERS
WHOSE POOR EXAMPLE
AND BEHAVIOR
WERE SHOWN UP
BY THE HERO'S CONDUCT
SO THEY LABORED TO SILENCE HIM
WHEN THAT DIDN'T WORK
THEY KILLED HIM

WHEN THE PLAY CONTINUES
THE FRIENDS OF THE HERO'S MOTHER
COME TO TEND THE BODY
THEY FOUND THE GRAVE CHAMBER EMPTY
AGHAST
THEY RUN OFF STAGE
LEAVING IT EMPTY
GRADUALLY THE LIGHT FADES TO DARK
WHILE THE NARRATOR SPEAKS
SAYING
SO THEY RAN FROM THE TOMB
DISTRESSED AND TERRIFIED
THEY SAID NOTHING TO ANYONE
BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID

DO NOT TELL
DO NOT TELL
THE GOOD DEED DONE
DO NOT TELL

IN THE GOSPEL OF MARK
JESUS SAYS ELEVEN TIMES
IN VARIOUS FORMS

DO NOT TELL
DO NOT TELL
THE GOOD DEED DONE
DO NOT TELL

AND THE LAST LINES OF THE GOSPEL OF MARK ARE
SO THEY RAN FROM THE TOMB
DISTRESSED AND TERRIFIED
THEY SAID NOTHING TO ANYONE
BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID

A TRAGEDY OF HEROIC PROPORTIONS
THE DOER OF GOOD
OVERCOME BY EVIL
AND THE CURTAIN FALLS
ON THE WOMEN
WEEPING AND MOANING
AND MUCH AFRAID

IN OUR MIND'S EYE
WE SEE THE WOMEN
HURRYING THROUGH THE STREETS OF JERUSALEM
HURRYING TO THE COMFORT OF THEIR FRIENDS
AND WE WANT TO CRY ACROSS THE CHASM OF TIME
HE LIVES
HIS GREAT DEEDS HAVE BEEN TOLD
AND ARE BEING TOLD
BUT THEY MUST LIVE OUT THEIR TIME
THEY WILL EVENTUALLY KNOW
AND KNOWING THEY WILL TEACH US

BUT WE BEING MOVED BY THE DRAMA
HAVE THIS URGE TO TELL SOMEONE
AND THIS URGE IS WHAT JESUS INVITES
WHEN HE SAYS
GO
YOU ARE SENT
GO
INTO ALL THE WORLD
TELL THE PEOPLE
MY NAME
AND MY LIFE STORY



GO
TELL ALL THOSE PEOPLE
BEWAILING THE DEATH OF GOD
ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO WRESTLE WITH GOD
WHO FEEL THE LACK OF GOD
WHO KNOW THE LOSS OF GOD
THAT HE LIVES
THAT HE IS A KIND AND LOVING GOD
THAT HE WANTS ALL PEOPLE TO BE HIS FRIEND

WE MUST TELL THE WORLD
THAT EMPTY TOMB
IS NOT A SIGN OF DEFEAT
BUT A SIGN OF JOY
THAT THAT JOY SHOULD BE IN OUR LIVES
AND IN OUR BEHAVIOR
FOR WE ARE THE BIBLE
FOR THE SCRIPTURALLY ILLITERATE

THAT IS NOT TO SAY
THAT WE ARE PERFECT
FOR WE TOO WRESTLE WITH GOD
THIS IS NOT TO SAY
THAT THE WAY IS ALWAYS CLEAR

BUT WRESTLING WITH GOD IS NOT A SIN
BUT A TIME HONORED EVENT
AS THAT TIME WHEN A SYROPHOENICIAN WOMAN
SAID TO JESUS

HEAL MY CHILD

HE SAID, BECAUSE SHE WAS A GENTILE AND A PAGAN
IT IS NOT RIGHT TO TAKE THE CHILDREN'S FOOD
AND THROW IT TO THE DOGS
SHE REBUFFED HIM SAYING
EVEN THE DOGS EAT THE CHILDREN'S CRUMBS

YOU CAN SEE HIM SMILING
HE'D BEEN BESTED IN AN ARGUMENT
AND HE REPLIED GENTLY
GO
YOUR CHILD IS HEALED

THE TOMB IS EMPTY
AND WE ARE IMPERFECT MESSENGERS
BUT WE ARE COMMISSIONED TO TELL THE STORY
EVEN THOUGH WE ARE AFRAID

Ordinary People

ORDINARY PEOPLE


WE ARE ORDINARY PEOPLE
CAUGHT UP IN EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS
EVENTS FOR WHICH WE ARE ILL PREPARED
EVENTS WHICH OFTEN OVERWHELMED US
AND WE BEHAVE POORLY

BUT THIS IS WHERE GOD CHOOSES TO MEET HIS PEOPLE
THIS IS WHAT GIVES JESUS HIS UNIQUE STATURE
FOR BEING HUMAN
HE KNEW WHAT IT MEANT TO BE TOUCHED BY LIFE
WHEN IT GOES TO ASHES
WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

NO ROOM FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN
CHASED BY SOLDIERS OUT TO KILL BABIES
THE LONG ORDINARY YEARS
OF TRYING TO SUPPORT HIS MOTHER
GAINING THE RESPECT OF HIS NEIGHBORS
THEN LOSING IT
CHASED FROM HIS OWN HOMETOWN
HIS FAMILY THINKING HIM CRAZY
TRYING TO MAKE A KINGDOM OF SOULS
THEY WOULD MAKE HIM KING OF THE LAND
TRYING TO TEACH HIS SIMPLE MESSAGE TO HIS FOLLOWERS
THEY KEPT MISUNDERSTANDING

BUT WHAT HE COULD DO
WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE WOULDN'T WORK
HE COULD WORK A PIECE OF WOOD
HE MADE FARM IMPLEMENTS
AND HE COULD BRAG
THAT HIS YOKES WERE EASY
THEY WOULDN'T RUB THE ANIMAL RAW
THAT HIS YOKES WERE EASY
HE COULD MAKE THEIR BURDENS LIGHT
IF ONLY HE THOUGHT
I COULD SHAPE MEN AS I SHAPE WOOD
WOOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY FRIEND

MY PEOPLE MY PEOPLE
GIVEN TO ME BY MY FATHER
GIVEN TO ME TO BE SAVED
HOW I HUNGER FOR YOUR LOVE
IMPERFECT AS IT IS
HOW I HUNGER FOR YOUR LOVE

YOU ARE THE ALPHA AND OMEGA OF MY LOVE
BEGINNING AND END
ORDINARY LETTERS
GIVEN MYSTICAL MEANING
AS ALL MY PEOPLE
ALL MY ORDINARY PEOPLE
ARE RAISED TO A MYSTICAL LEVEL
BY MY DEATH
A DEATH THEY OFTEN DO NOT VALUE
NOR WILL THEY VALUE THEIR EXALTED NATURE
AND YET I LOVE THEM WHERE THEY ARE
AS I LABOR TO MAKE THEIR ROUGH WAYS PLAIN
THEIR CROOKED WAYS STRAIGHT
AS I POUR MYSELF OUT
TO FILL THEIR VALLEYS UP WITH ME

O THAT I COULD SHAPE THEM AS I SHAPE WOOD
WOOD HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY FRIEND

THE WIND MUST HAVE SHIFTED
FOR SUDDENLY
I FELT A CHILL

FRANK A VOLLMER

Forgive

FORGIVE


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





JESUS LOOKS DOWN AT THE LAKE
AND AS HE DOES
HE LOOKS BACK IN TIME
AND REMEMBERS THE EVENTS
Of HIS STARTING MINISTRY



HE REMEMBERS
HIS BAPTISM BY JOHN
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 REMEMBERS THE MIRACLE OF THE FISHES
WHERE THE APOSTLES CAUGHT SO MANY
THE BOAT BEGAN TO SINK.

AND TODAY HE REMEMBERS
COMING DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN
AND PREACHING THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN
ALSO CALLED THE BEATITUDES



BUT BEFORE HE CAME DOWN OFF THE MOUNTAIN
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 HE SLOWLY COMES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN
AND PREACHES 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 LOOKS AT THE CROWD
THAT HAD SO MUCH HATE
AND PREACHES 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
WHO 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 HERE
AND CRIES OUT
FATHER FORGIVE FRANK
AND BARBARA,
JOE AND TOM,
ALICE AND JAN,
FATHER FORGIVE ALL

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



FRANK A VOLLMER

Getting Younger

GETTING YOUNGER

I MUST BE GETTING YOUNGER
OR SENILE
OR BOTH

SHE
WHO NEVER WEARS WHITE
PAST LABOR DAY
AND WATCHES OVER MY COMING
AND GOING
MOSTLY GOING

STANDING AT THE DOOR
WAITING TO INSPECT THE TROOPS
WATCHING CAREFULLY
LEST SOMEONE SLIP BY

THOSE COLORS
ARE NOT COMPLIMENTARY
SHE’LL SAY

I DIDN’T KNOW
THEY WERE TALKING TO EACH OTHER
I’LL SAY

THEN WITH EYES LIFTED TO HEAVEN
SHE’LL EXPLAIN TO ME AGAIN
SOME ARCANE RULING
ABOUT STRIPES AND PLAID
WARM AND COLD COLORS
THEIR SEASONAL LIMITATIONS

OY VEY
I THOUGHT THE BIBLE WAS HARD
WHO MADE THESE RULES
WHERE ARE THEY WRITTEN DOWN

AND FINGER GESTURES

IF I HAVE KETCHUP ON MY MOUSTACHE
I CAN MAKE A LUNAR LANDING
WITH A NAPKIN
BY WATCHING A FINGER ON HER FACE

IF MY FLY IS DOWN
WHICH SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN
I CAN TELL BY THE
GIVE ME STRENGTH LOOK
AS SHE STANDS IN FRONT OF ME
SO I CAN MODESTLY ADJUST

I THINK
SHE AND MY GUARDIAN ANGEL
ARE IN COMPETITION

THOUGH IF TRUTH BE TOLD
I PROBABLY NEED BOTH

WHEN WE GO TO THE DOCTORS
I ALWAYS TELL THE NURSE
TO CHECK THE CLEAN UNDERWEAR BOX
I HEAR ECHOES OF MY MOTHER
IT’S A REFLECTION ON ME

I MUST BE GETTING YOUNGER
BECAUSE WHEN I GO TO BED
WATCHED OVER BY GOD AND HER
I SLEEP LIKE A BABY

FRANK A VOLLMER

Homage to Dan Berrigan

IT’S SPRING
THE TIME WHEN KINGS GO OFF TO WAR
NO MENTION OF DEATH AND INJURY
OF NEWLY MADE ORPHANS
DASHED AGAINST THE WALL
IT’S SPRING
WHEN KINGS GO OFF TO WAR

SO SAY THE CHRONICLES OF DAVID
LIKE A TO-DO LIST
ONE WAR CROSSED OFF
AND THE EARTH CRIES
I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF BLOOD
BUT NO ONE LISTENS

BUT GOD HEARS
AND SAYS

NOTHING HARMFUL WILL TAKE PLACE
ON MY HOLY MOUNTAIN
JUST AS WATER FILLS THE SEA
THE LAND WILL BE FILLED
WITH PEOPLE
WHO KNOW
AND HONOR THE ME

WE ARE TASKED TO CLIMB THAT MOUNTAIN
AND FIND PEACE
HOW I WISH I KNEW HOW

BUT TO LOVE WAR
OR BE HAPPY WITH WAR
IS WRONG
AND NOT ALLOWED
ON GOD’S HOLY MOUNTAIN

WOULD I HAD A MAGIC WAND
THAT I COULD WAVE
OR ANGEL DUST THAT I COULD SPRINKLE
ON A WORLD GONE MAD
OR EVEN A POLLYANNA RX FOR THE WORLD’S ILLS

GOD PROMISES US PEACE
BUT PEACE NOT BOUGHT BY WAR
BUT BY FORGIVENESS
AND THE TURNING OF THE OTHER CHEEK
AND ADMITTING OUR FAILURES TO BE GODLIKE


FRANK A VOLLMER

Wildflowers

WILDFLOWERS

YOU SOMEHOW EXPECT THEM BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
LIKE SOMEONE PUT THEM THERE FOR PRETTY
BUT WHEN YOU LEAVE THE ROAD
WHEN YOU SAY TO YOURSELF
I'LL WALK TO THAT TREE OR HILL
OR I'LL WALK STRAIGHT NORTH
AND OFF YOU GO
THROUGH THICKET AND BRIARS
AND COOL WOODED SLOPE
AND THERE YOU FIND THEM
IN PLACES
NOT EASILY REACHED
OR OFTEN PASSED
THE EARLY SPRING FLOWERS
SPRING BEAUTY
VIOLET
MARSH MARIGOLD
FIDDLE HEADS OF EMERGING FERN

WHAT A WASTE
WHY NOT SAVE THEM ALL FOR THE ROADSIDE
WHERE EVERYONE CAN SEE THEM
BUT HERE IN A HIDDEN CORNER
ARE THEY A LURE
ARE THEY A REWARD
FOR STRIKING OUT ON ONE'S OWN
ARE THEY A GIFT FOR FINDING OUT
WHAT WEALTH INHABITS A BIT OF EARTH

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME
THAT NOW I SEE THINGS THAT I ONCE RUSHED BY
IS IT AGE THE GROWING OLDER
THAT MAKES ME MORE REFLECTIVE
IS IT THE SLOWING DOWN
WHICH MAKES ME THRILL TO SPRING TIME QUICKENING
IS IT THE SLOWING DOWN
WHICH MAKES ME FEEL A KINSHIP TO AUTUMN

I DO NOT KNOW
I ONLY KNOW
I HAVE THIS URGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT IS OFF THE ROAD
OR ON TOP OF THE HILL
OR IN THE VALLEY
AS IF I WERE COUNTING DAYS
AND FOUND THE DAYS NOT QUITE ENOUGH
NOT QUITE ENOUGH HOURS UNTIL SUNSET

WHEN I AM DONE I GO HOME
TIRED
HAPPY
AND A LITTLE SAD
THAT I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME
RUSHING
TO WHERE
I DID NOT WANT TO GO



Frank A Vollmer

Mirrors

MIRRORS

OUR OLDER BROTHERS
HAVE A CUSTOM
OF NEVER PRAYING BEFORE A MIRROR
THEIR EYES SHOULD BE ONLY ON GOD
NOT ON THE WORLD AROUND THEM

SIMILARLY
WHEN THEY SIT SHIVA
THE MIRRORS ARE COVERED
TO FORCE THEM TO LOOK TO OTHERS FOR COMFORT
RATHER THAN MOURN IN LONELY ISOLATION

THE FROG IN THE ORIENT
IS HELD UP AS AN EXAMPLE
TO A MEDITATING MONK
FULLY AWARE OF HIS SURROUNDINGS
WHILE NEVER LOSING HIS INNER PEACE
SO MANY TIMES
I AM MARTHA DRIVEN
WHILE BEING JEALOUS OF MARY

I OFTEN CHECK THE MIRROR IN THE MORNING
WHILE SHAVING OR BRUSHING MY TEETH
SAYING MY MORNING PRAYERS
INTERSPERSED WITH CHECKING MY HAIR
WHAT’S LEFT OF IT
CHECKING MY TEETH
MY SKIN FOR BLEMISHES
PLANNING MY DAY
SEEING IF I WAS STILL AS HANDSOME AS EVER
LOST IN THE MIRROR

IT BEHOOVES US TO LISTEN TO OUR OLDER BROTHER
LONG THOUGHT OUT RULES OF CONDUCT
TO COVER MIRRORS
AND DWELL IN PRAYER
IN THE BOSOM OF GOD


FRANK A VOLLMER

The Going On As Usual

THE GOING ON AS USUAL

IT WAS THE GOING ON AS USUAL
CHILDREN PLAYED AND MERCHANTS TRADED
LOVERS KISSED AND WALKED HAND IN HAND
PAST THE STABLE WHERE HE WAS BORN
IF THEY SAW JOSEPH THEY MIGHT HAVE CALLED SHALOM
GOOD LUCK WITH THE BOY
HE DID NOT DEEM IT LESS HIS PRIDE TO COME AS MAN
HE DID NOT COME TO MAKE US LESS THAN WHAT WE ARE
IF ANGELS COULD NOT KEEP THE SECRET OF HIS BIRTH
THEIR RANGE WAS SMALL
THE SHEPHERDS KNEW
BUT KINGS AND WISE MEN HAD TO FIND HIM
HE ENTERED INTO LIFE TO BE ONE OF US
THIRTY YEARS HE TASTED SALT AND SUGAR
AT THE END HE HUNGERED FOR THE EARTH
EYE SIGHT FADING
HEAD ROARING LIKE AN OCEAN BEATING
THOUGHTS LIKE A WHEAT FIELD IN A STORM
TILL AT HIS DEATH
THE GOING ON AS USUAL
THE WOMEN FINDING THE TOMB EMPTY
WHILE LOVERS KISSED AND WALKED HAND IN HAND
PAST THE PLACE WHERE THEY HAD LAID HIM




FRANK A VOLLMER

T.I.A.

T.I.A.



I’VE HAD A T.I.A.
WHICH EVERYONE KNOWS
IS LONG WORD GIBBERISH
FOR A MINI STROKE

IT HAPPENED IN THE SHOWER
WHEN THE WORLD WENT AWAY
AND I COULDN’T MOVE
I DROPPED THE SOAP
WHICH ALERTED
SHE WHO NEVER SLEEPS
TO COME LOOK

I SAID I DON’T FEEL SO WELL
WHICH BOTHERED ME
I FELT BEFORE I DIE
I SHOULD SAY SOMETHING
MEMORABLE

NOT
I DON’T FEEL SO WELL

WELL WE HAD THE PARAMEDICS
AND I RODE TO THE HOSPITAL
IN AN AMBULANCE
WITH THE SIREN SOUNDING
AND ME
TELLING JOKES TO THE ATTENDANTS

THEY PRODDED
AND PROBED
CAT SCANNED
AND X-RAYED
TESTED BLOOD AND URINE

DREW THEMSELVES UP TO IMPERIAL HEIGHTS
AND DECLARED
WE THINK
IT WAS A T.I.A.
BROUGHT ON BY ALL THE OTHER
THINGS
THAT BUG YOU

SO THEY GAVE ME A NEW MEDICINE
TO GO WITH ALL THE OTHERS I HAVE
I TAKE SO MANY
I THINK THEY’RE M&MS

BUT WHAT REALLY BOTHERED ME
WAS HOW PROSAIC
MY LAST WORDS MIGHT HAVE BEEN

SO I’LL THINK I’LL SAY THEM NOW
BEFORE IT COMES ON ME
LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT
AND I AM TOO BUSY
OR CONFUSED

FATHER
INTO YOUR HANDS
I COMMEND
MY SPIRIT

FRANK A VOLLMER