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

The Creche

THE CROTCHETY OLD MINISTER
SET IN HIS WAYS
CAME DOWN FROM HIS CHRISTMAS EVE NAP
AND FOUND HIS GRANDCHILDREN
PLAYING WITH THE NATIVITY CRIB FIGURES

HIS INSTINCT WAS TO CRY OUT SACRILEGE
THIS WAS HIS PRIDE AND JOY
A FINE ITALIAN MADE SET
HAND CARVED AND PAINTED
AND ILLUMINATED JUST SO
A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE TO BEHOLD
AND HERE THEY WERE PLAYING WITH IT
LIKE ACTION FIGURES

WHAT STOPPED HIM FROM YELLING
IN HIS GRANDFATHER VOICE
HE DID NOT KNOW
HE’D BEEN GRUFF BEFORE
BUT HE STAYED WHERE HE WAS
AND LISTENED
AND THIS IS WHAT HE HEARD
THE OLDER CHILD TEACHING THE YOUNGER

AT THE BEGINNING OF CHRISTMAS
THIS IS WHERE THEY ARE
SCATTERED ALL OVER
THE ANIMALS AND THE PEOPLE
BUSY DOING ANIMAL AND PEOPLE THINGS

BUT WHEN JESUS IS BORN
THEY ALL WANT TO BE AROUND HIM
LIKE A MAGNET DRAWS METAL
THAT’S WHY SO MANY CAROLS SAY COME
AND THERE IS NO PUSHING OR SHOVING
THERE’S ROOM FOR EVERYONE
EVEN GRAND POP WHEN HE’S NOT SMILING
OR EAVESDROPPING ON THE STAIR

FRANK A VOLLMER

BASED ON A SERMON BY PASTOR DAVID MCGETTIGAN

Someone's Missing at Christmas

IT PERVADED THE HOUSE
LIKE THE AROMAS
FROM THE KITCHEN
THE SENSE OF SOMETHING MISSING
OF SOMEONE MISSING
LIKE A MELODY
MISSING A NOTE
OR A POEM
MISSING A VERSE
IT FELT INCOMPLETE

WHAT A TRIBUTE
TO THE PERSON GONE
TO BE MISSED
THAT A PART OF ONE’S HEART
HAD GONE WITH THEM

SORROW
YES
THEY COULD UNDERSTAND
BUT ALSO THEY WOULD SAY
CELEBRATE MY LIFE

THE JOKES WE TOLD
THE ADVENTURES WE HAD
THE GOOD TIMES
THE BAD TIMES
THE ORDINARY
DAY TO DAY TIMES

THE TIMES WE WERE BROUGHT
TOAST AND TEA
ON A GREEN SAUCER
AND A YELLOW CUP

CELEBRATE MY LIFE
AND I SHALL LIVE ON
AND I SHALL PERMEATE YOUR LIFE
LIKE AN AROMA
WAFTING FROM THE KITCHEN


FRANK A VOLLMER

Tombstone Reader

TOMBSTONE READER


I WANDERED THROUGH THE HILLSIDE CEMETERY
TRYING TO READ
THE WEATHERED MARKINGS ON THE STONES
SOME STALWART ONES
STILL LEANED AGAINST THE HILL
WHILE OTHERS
TIRED
HAD FALLEN AND SETTLED
ON THE GROUND

IT WAS AN ANCIENT CEMETERY
WEATHER-WORN AND OVERGROWN
YET HERE I FOUND ONE PLOT
THOUGH OVERGROWN AS WERE THE REST
BORE ON ITS BOSOM A ROSE BUSH
THE STONE STILL STANDING

AND ETCHED UPON IT VERY DEEP
AS IF TO SHOW THE CARVER'S SORROW
WAS WRITTEN ANNIE
AND NOTHING MORE

HOW PRETTY THE BUSH
IN THIS SO DESOLATE SPOT
I WONDERED WHO HAD PLANTED IT
SOME LOVER OR A HUSBAND
HAD DUG AWAY THE DIRT
THEN STANDING
LOOKING AT IT
HAD RECALLED LAUGHTER

SOME SISTER OR A BROTHER
HAD LOOKING AT THE STONE
REMEMBERED THE BITTER THINGS
THAT CHILDREN SOMETIMES SAY

SOME CHILD
HAD LOVINGLY PATTED DOWN THE EARTH
AND GAVE IT
ITS FIRST WATERING
TEARS

SOME MOTHER
OR A FATHER
LOOKING AT IT BLOOMING
HAD CAUGHT THEMSELVES REPEATING
ANNIE ANNIE ANNIE

WHAT WAS ANNIE REALLY LIKE
I THOUGHT

IT HAD GROWN DARK
THE SUN WAS COLD
AND SLOWLY SETTING

WHAT WAS ANNIE REALLY LIKE
I THOUGHT

I PLUCKED A ROSE
FROM OFF THE BUSH
AND SLOWLY WALKED THE HILLSIDE DOWN
CRADLING IT IN MY HAND



FRANK A VOLLMER

COMMUNION OF SAINTS (1 Corinthians 12)

THERE IS A PLACE CALLED HORIZON

WHERE I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SKY

A PLACE I CANNOT REACH

NO MATTER HOW I TRY

BUT THERE IS A PLACE

WHERE MEET HEAVEN AND EARTH

THE ALTAR

THE TABLE

WHERE CHRIST COMES FOR RE-BIRTH

BRINGING WITH HIM

ALL WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE

AS IF THERE WAS IN TIME A DOOR

THROUGH WHICH CAN COME

ALL I LOVE

MY SAVIOR

AND MY HEART FRIENDS

TO THIS PLACE

TO THIS TRYSTING PLACE

WHERE LOVERS MEET

WHERE FOR A MOMEN

TALL MY HEART PAINS ARE EASED

IN THE PRESENCE

OF ALL I LOVE

WITH ANGELS AND ARCHANGELS

GATHERED AT THE HORIZON

GATHERED IN UNION

GATHERED IN COMMUNION

WE ALL SING IN JOY

IN LOVE

IN CONSOLATION

HOLY HOLY HOLY

FRANK A VOLLMER

HMNNN

Marriage is love. ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN IT PROBABLY RATES A ONE THIRTEEN IF IT'S ON THE LIST AT ALL IN A WORLD WHERE CHILDREN GO TO BED HUNGRY WHERE PEOPLE LIVE AND SLEEP IN CARDBOARD BOXES WHERE SOLDIERS ARE SENT TO FIGHT FOR OIL AND THE LINE BETWEEN THE RICH AND POOR IS STEADILY WIDENING SOMEHOW WHICH ORIFICE IS USED IN SEXUAL LOVE DIMINISHES TO NON IMPORTANCE ESPECIALLY WHEN HETEROSEXUALS SOMETIMES USE THEM THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT HOMOSEXUALITY MIGHT BE GENETIC ARE WE NOT IN DANGER OF CONDEMNING GALILEO OR DARWIN AGAIN I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS A HERMAPHRODITE WHOM MAY THAT PERSON LOVE DID GOD MAKE A MISTAKE TO MAKE HIM/HER ONE WAY AND THEN TELL HIM/HER TO LIVE ANOTHER IS GOD LIKE A LITTLE BOY WHO TEARS WINGS OFF FLIES TO SEE IF THEY FLY IN CIRCLES IS THE FRUIT OF FIVE THOUSAND YEARS OF THE GOD EXPERIENCE A CONDEMNING GOD WHO CALLS HIMSELF LOVE GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON TO CREATE THAT IMAGE RATHER WE WHO WOULD BE GOD-LIKE HAVE DONE SO WE HAVE EATEN OF THE TREE AND FOUND EVERYONE BUT OURSELVES NAKED FATHER OF THE POOR THE WIDOW AND THE ORPHAN THE MESSAGE IS GIVEN TO US TO CARE NOT TO CONDEMN FRANK A VOLMER

Lazarus

WHEN JESUS CAME TO BETHANY
TO THE TOMB
OF HIS FRIEND
LAZARUS
HE CRIED

NO PLATITUDES
NO EASY SAYING
OF HIS BEING IN A BETTER PLACE
NO REMINDERS OF ETERNAL LIFE

HE CRIED
AS ONLY ONE WHO LOVED
AS DEEPLY AS HE LOVED
COULD CRY

HE CRIED

HE FELT THE DEEP
AND EVER WIDENING CHASM
OF SEPARATION

HE FELT THAT THE SOUL OF HIS FRIEND
WAS LIKE A SHIP LEAVING THE SHORE
SENDING BACK RIPPLES OF REMEMBRANCE
SENDING BACK ECHOES OF OLD CONVERSATIONS
SENDING THEM BACK WITH NO WAY TO ANSWER

PEACE WOULD COME LATER

BUT FOR THE INSTANT
THERE WAS PAIN
TEARS
THE GREAT UNKNOWING
AND TO NEED TO WEEP

BUT IN THE DESOLATION
OF THE MOMENT
HEARTFELT WITH LONELINESS
HE CRIED OUT
LAZARUS COME OUT

AND LAZARUS
CAME OUT
LIKE A SACK RACE RUNNER

AND JESUS
EYES SPARKLING
THOUGHT
LIKE ONE FRIEND
JOSHING ANOTHER

HOP TO IT


FRANK A VOLLMER

The Bridge

THE LEGEND GOES
THERE WAS A TOWN
WITH A BRIDGE
OVER A RIVER
DOWN WHICH
CHILDREN WERE FLOATED
ON A RAFT

THE GOOD CITIZENS WORRIED
THAT A CHILD
WOULD FLOAT BY IN THE NIGHT
AND BE LOST
SO THEY HIRED WATCHMEN
AND HUNG A NET FROM THE BRIDGE
TO CATCH THE RAFTS

THEY WERE DILIGENT
IN SAVING CHILDREN
SOMETIMES MANY
SOMETIMES FEW
FAIR WEATHER OR FOUL
THE WATCHMEN WATCHED

THEN ONE DAY
SOMEONE SAID
WHY ARE THESE CHILDREN
COMING DOWN THE RIVER
WHO WOULD ABANDON A CHILD
IN SUCH A WAY

THEN SOMEONE SAID
LET US GO UPRIVER
FIND OUT WHY
AND TRY TO STOP IT

I WONDER
BECAUSE WE ARE A SINFUL PEOPLE
WE ARE MORE INCLINED
TO EASE THE EFFECTS OF SIN
RATHER THAN THE CAUSE

AS IF OUR SINFULNESS
WEAKENS OUR RESOLVE
AS IF GOD
DOESN'T WANT A SAINTLY PEOPLE
TRYING TO MAKE THE WORLD
WHAT HE WANTS IT TO BE

WE ARE TASKED
TO BE THE WATCHERS
ON THE BRIDGE

WE ARE ALSO TASKED
TO ASK WHY WE ARE NEEDED
AND TO PUT OURSELVES
OUT OF A JOB


FRANK A VOLLMER