SHITTY SHEPHERDS

Sister Escalera says the most hurtful part of the proposed sale of her convent is that the proceeds will be used to pay for the misdeeds of pedophile priests.

SHITTY SHEPHERDS

SHITTY SHEPHERDS
SHEPHERDING
CLEAN SHEEP

SO SAYS THE NOBLE POET
CHAUCER

HOW APT AN IMAGE

A ROLE PLAYED WELL
BY PRIESTS
MINISTERS
RABBIS
POLITICIANS
RULERS

ALL CLOTHED
IN SUNDAY FINERY
WITH THE BEST MANNERS

UNWORTHY SHEPHERDS
OF INNOCENT FLOCKS

TO QUESTION THEM
IS TO QUESTION
THEIR GOD LIKE STANCE
UNHOLY TO DO SO

BUT LATELY
THE SMELL OF THE SHEPHERDS
HAS BECOME TOO GREAT

THEY’VE MADE FRIENDS
WITH THE WOLVES
AND NO LONGER CARE FOR THE SHEEP

AND THE SHEEP
NO LONGER
LISTEN TO THE SHEPHERDS
AND THEIR CALL
TO FOLLOW

FRANK A VOLLMER

When God Paints

When God Paints: "When God Paints... We live in an awesome world people. Make it an awesome day. Peace To All and May God Bless You -Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply, Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. "

RIGOBERTA MENCHUI

We feel it is the duty of Christians to create the kingdom of God on Earth among our brothers. This kingdom will exist only when we all have enough to eat, when our children, brothers, parents don’t have to die from hunger and malnutrition. That will be the "Glory," a Kingdom for we who have never known it.- Rigoberta MenchuI, Rigoberta: An Indian Woman in Guatemala

Rigoberta Menchu

But our reality teaches us that, as Christians, we must create a Church of the poor, that we don’t need a Church imposed from outside which knows nothing of hunger.
- Rigoberta Menchu
I, Rigoberta: An Indian Woman in Guatemala

Frederick Douglass

Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are people who want crops without ploughing the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning; they want the ocean without the roar of its many waters. The struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, or it may be both. But it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand; it never has and it never will.
- Frederick Douglass

RAMBLINGS ON IMMIGRATION

RAMBLINGS ON IMMIGRATION


FIRST LET ME SAY I AM NO EXPERT ON IMMIGRATION
BUT I HAVE SOME OPINIONS
WHICH CERTAINLY ARE OPEN TO CRITIQUING

MY CREDENTIALS AS SUCH
ARE
MY MOTHER WAS AN IMMIGRANT
WHO AFTER THE FIRST WORLD WAR
FOUND NO FUTURE OR JOB
IN NEWFOUNDLAND
EVEN THOUGH HER FATHER WAS A SEA CAPTAIN

SO SHE CAME TO AMERICA
STAYING WITH AUNT POLLY
THE ENGLISH ARE VERY PROPER

MY FATHER’S PEOPLE
WERE GERMAN
WHO CAME OVER
BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR
AND BECAME RICH FARMERS
I’VE SEEN THEIR ELABORATE TOMBS
AND DONATED STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
IN TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
IN PHILADELPHIA

UNFORTUNATELY
MY GRANDFATHER
WANTED TO BE AN ACTOR
AND WAS CUT OFF FROM THE FAMILY FORTUNE

OUR BRANCH OF THE FAMILY CONTINUES TO BE SLIGHTLY WEIRD

BEING AN ACTOR WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SUITABLE VOCATION
FOR A DISTINGUISHED LUTHERAN FAMILY

THE EIGHTEEN HUNDREDS WERE A VOLATILE TIME IN GERMANY
AND MANY FLED THE COUNTRY
FOR RELIGIOUS AND ECONOMIC REASONS

THEY WEREN’T HAPPY
WITH THE THINGS WERE
IN THE OLD LAND

AMERICA
AND ESPECIALLY PENNSYLVANIA
LOOMED ON THEIR HORIZON
LIKE A LIGHTHOUSE FLASHING

SO I LIKE OTHER NON-NATIVE AMERICANS
AM AN IMMIGRANT’S CHILD

MY PEOPLE CAME OVER FOR THE SAME REASONS
THAT TODAY’S IMMIGRANTS
(BOTH LEGAL AND ILLEGAL) DO

NOW I AGREE THAT NEWCOMERS
SHOULD NOT LIVE OFF THE DOLE
OR ENGAGE IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

I REMEMBER
THEOLOGICAL ARGUMENTS
AS TO WHETHER A HUNGRY MAN
CAN STEAL A LOAF OF BREAD

IS A MAN NOT VALUED MORE THAN A LOAF

HOWEVER THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED
WE NEED TO REMEMBER TWO DICTUMS

REMEMBER THAT YOU WERE ALIENS IN EGYPT

AND

WHATSOEVER YOU DO TO THE LEAST OF MY BROTHERS
THAT YOU DO UNTO ME

THE CRY AGAINST AMNESTY
IS
A CRY FOR JUSTICE AND NOT FOR LOVE

THEY’RE HERE
DEAL WITH IT

THERE’S NOT ENOUGH BOATS OR TRUCKS
FOR DEPORTATION
NOT TO MENTION
THE PAIN OF FAMILY SEPARATION

THEY’RE
DOING THE JOBS NOBODY WANTS
MORE TROUBLE IS INDUSTRY
MOVING JOBS
OUT OF THE COUNTRY
AND NOT PAYING A LIVING WAGE

WHEN ALL THE JOBS ARE GONE
WHO WILL BUY THE PRODUCT

IF MY THOUGHTS GO AGAINST LOGIC
SO BE IT
I’D RATHER LEAD WITH MY HEART
THAN MY HEAD
WHEN LEADING WITH MY HEAD SEEMS UNCHRISTIAN

FRANK A VOLLMER

FATHER'S DAY

A GIFT FOR A KING

Today I received a gift of a quilt made by my co-editor Nancy Stevens. It is beautiful. It has a special meaning to me, when you receive chemo they give you a quilt to stay warm. It's soothing and comforting and helps you through the rough spots. Now I have my own.

BEING LIBERAL

“Liberals got women the right to vote. Liberals got African-Americans the right to vote. Liberals created Social Security and lifted millions of elderly people out of poverty. Liberals ended segregation. Liberals passed the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act. Liberals created Medicare. Liberals passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act. What didConservatives do? They opposed them on every one of those things – every one. So when you try to hurl that label at my feet, ‘Liberal,’ as if it were something to be ashamed of, something dirty, something to run away from, it won’t work, Senator, because I will pick up that label and I will wear it as a badge of honor." -- Matt Santos, The West Wing

LAST SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY

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



Frank A Vollmer

CEREMONY FOR REMEMBERING

A CEREMONY FOR REMEMBERING









PROLOGUE

LET US SUMMON TO MIND OUR DEAD
BE THEY PARENTS CHILDREN LOVED ONES OR DREAMS
BUT WHEN WE ARE DONE
LET US GENTLY CLOSE THE DOOR
AND LET THEM SLEEP




EMMAUS

THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT HIS EYES
LIKE A SOLDIER OFF TO WAR
SAYING GOODBYE TO LOVED ONES
OR A SAILOR FOR A LONG LONG TRIP

WE'D WALKED THAT ROAD MANY TIMES
MY FRIEND AND I
IT HAD BECOME A BIT OF A TASK
WITH NOTHING NEW
TO BE DONE WITH SWIFTLY
AND DONE WITH
WITH PLEASURE AT EITHER END
BUT NOTHING IN THE JOURNEY

UNTIL THE STRANGER CAME TO WALK WITH US
THIS STRANGER
WITH RELUCTANT EYES
HE'D SIGHT A TREE AND CALL IT OUT BY NAME
A FLOWER
BIRD
OR SOME CREEPING THING
THE WAY THE SUN TOOK A CLOUD
AND LIT IT UP WITHIN
OR CAST LONG SHADOWS
LIKE THE SHADOWS
THAT SAT UPON OUR HEARTS
THAT DAY

WHY ARE YOU SO SAD
HE ASKED
AFTER A WHILE

WE'D LET HIM TALK FIRST
OUT OF COURTESY
HE SEEMED TO NEED TO TALK
WHY ARE YOU SO SAD

AND SO TO THIS MAN
WHO SEEMED SO EAGER FOR LIVING THINGS
WE TOLD HIM OF A DEATH
OF OUR FRIEND JESUS
WHO HAD DIED
AND TO USE HIS IMAGERY
PLUCKED LIKE A FLOWER
THAT WAS THROWN AWAY
PICKED WITHOUT PURPOSE

OF A MAN
WHO WHEN HE SPOKE
BOTH TESTED US AND JOYED US

OF THIS JOURNEY
THAT WE TOOK
WHICH WAS DOUBLY LONG
FOR WE CARRIED SADNESS TO EMMAUS
THERE WOULD BE NO PLEASURE THERE

THE BODY WAS GONE
OH THE WOMEN HYSTERICAL
HAD SAID HE WAS RISEN
BUT THE BODY WAS GONE

WHY SHOULD HE DIE
WE BELIEVED HIM CHOSEN OF GOD
WHY SHOULD HE DIE

PERHAPS BECAUSE WE WERE TOO NUMB TO SPEAK
HE TOOK OVER THE CONVERSATION
WHEN DID YOU LEARN TO LOVE YOUR FATHER HE SAID

WHEN I BECAME THE AGE HE WAS
WHEN I DISLIKED HIM
IT SOMEHOW MADE HIM DIFFERENT THEN
AND UNDERSTANDABLE

SO JESUS CAME HE SAID
TO BE THAT PARENT
TO BE THE ONE WHO WENT BEFORE
TO BE THE ONE WHO LIVED AND DIED
AND TO BE TRULY RISEN
AS THE WOMEN SAID
TO BE THE PARENT
WHO HAD GONE BEFORE
SO YOU COULD LEARN
TO LOVE HIM AS YOU GREW
AND THROUGH HIM
THE FATHER TOO

PERHAPS IT WAS THE CADENCE OF HIS VOICE
OR THE WORDS OR THE MAN HIMSELF
BUT WE FELT CALM
WE INVITED HIM TO SUP WITH US
IN OUR GARDEN IN THE EVENING COOL
FOR THE DAY HAD RUN AWAY

AND WE KNEW HIM IN THE BREAKING BREAD
AND THE WINE
THAT TOOK THE JOURNEY'S DUST AWAY





THE SHAWL


THE SHAWL IS FINISHED
I HAVE WOVEN THE WOOL WITH TEARS
I HAVE HURT MY FINGERS
AND SUCKED SORROW

BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING NOW

IT WAS FITTING HE SHOULD DIE IN FALL
OR EARLY WINTER REALLY
WHEN GRAYNESS COMES UPON THE LAND

WOULD I CALL HIM BACK
TO RE-SUFFER ALL HIS PAINS
TO ELIMINATE MY OWN

DID I NOT LOVE HIM TO THE POINT I COULD LET HIM GO
IF GOING WERE THE BETTER CHOICE

BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING

THE SHAWL IS FINISHED

I SHALL FIND OTHER THINGS TO DO














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




STARS


HE LIKED TO WATCH THE STARS
THEIR SENSE OF ORDER AND HIS FILIAL PRIDE
BOTH GAVE HIM WARMTH
HE LIKED THE LEGENDS THAT MEN TOLD
ABOUT THESE LANTERNS IN THE SKY
HE LIKED THE WAY THEY LED A SHIP
OR CARAVAN TO FIND A HOME
HE SOMETIMES THOUGHT HE HEARD THE SOUND OF SILVER BELLS
WHEN THE WIND WAS IN THE TREES
AND NIGHT CLOUDS CAME SCUDDING ACROSS THE MOON


WHEN WILD DOGS BARKED
AND SHEEP BELLS RANG CLEARLY IN THE DARK
HE THOUGHT HE HEARD THE STARS SING

PERHAPS THAT'S WHY HIS FATHER
MADE THE SKY GO DARK
BEFORE HE DIED




THE OLD HOUSE

WE FOUND IT DEEP IN THE WOODS
FAR FROM THE PATH
THE RUINS OF THE HOUSE
AND THE OLD STONE FENCE
YOU COULD TELL THE GARDEN
IN THE DIFFERENCE IN TREES
AND BUSHES GONE WILD
THE MOUNTAINEER'S CABIN
HARD BY A STREAM
YOU COULD MARK OFF HIS FIELDS
BY FOLLOWING HIS FENCE
EACH STONE HAND CARRIED TO BUILD IT
AS HE FOUND THEM
ON A SLOOP SO STEEP
YOU COULD PICTURE THEIR SAYING
IF YOU DON'T HOLD ONTO THE PLOW
YOU'LL FALL OUT OF THE FIELD
YOU WONDER WHEN HE BUILT THE HOUSE AND FENCE AND PLOWED
DID HE THINK IT WOULD COME TO THIS
OR DID HE SEE A LINE OF SONS COMING AFTER
LOVING THE LAND AS HE DID
IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER I SUPPOSE
WHAT COUNTS IS
HE HAD A DREAM
AND TRIED TO MAKE IT REAL



ABSALOM DAVID'S SON



HE COULD REMEMBER HIS SWINGING ON TREES
WATCHING HIM NOW
HANGING FROM THE TREE BY HIS HAIR

HE WISHED HIS FACE WAS LESS CONTORTED
HIS FACE LINES LAUGHTER CAUSED

WHEN THEY TOLD HIM HOW HE DIED
HOW HE SWUNG FROM THE TREE BY HIS HAIR
THE SOLDIERS SPEARS IMPALING
HE ONLY ASKED
DID HE CALL MY NAME

I WOULD NOT WANT HIM DEAD IN ANGER
THIS CHILD OF MINE
WHO TREE CLIMBED OFTEN IN HIS YOUTH
WHO TREE CLIMBED OFTEN AND WOULD CALL
FIND ME IF YOU CAN

WHAT HAPPENED AS HE GREW THAT I LOST MY CHILD
WHAT HAPPENED AS WE GREW THAT I LOST MY CHILD
WHEN DID HE CLIMB DOWN UNHEEDED
AND WENT HIS WAY

DID HE TIRE OF HIDE AND SEEK
WHEN I WOULD NOT PLAY
WHERE DID I LOSE MY SON
WHEN DID THE SILENCE GO TO ANGER
AND THE NEED TO HURT

SO MANY CALLS UPON ME
SO MANY PLACES TO BE
OH ABSALOM
ABSALOM
TREE CLIMBER
MY CHILD
STRANGE FRUIT ON THE TREE
STIFF IN DEATH
AS YOU WERE IN LIFE
I KISS YOUR STILL UNFEELING LIPS


WOULD TO GOD I HAD DIED
WOULD TO GOD I HAD DIED
THAN BE HERE TO WATCH
THE SUN GO DOWN
ON YOUR ANGER
AND YOUR DEATH




METAL FENCE

METAL FENCE WITH GATE DOOR OPEN
STANDING IN A FIELD BEFORE A HOUSE LONG GONE
THE GARDEN OVERGROWN
AND GONE TO SEED IN WINTER
WHAT POSSESSED ME I DO NOT KNOW
TO LEAVE THE ROAD
AND GO AND CLOSE THE GATE
WHOSE GHOSTS DID I WANT TO RESTRAIN
THEIRS OR MINE
WHAT VISIONS OF PARENTHOOD
HOPES
DREAMS
STILL DWELL IN THE GARDEN
STAY CLOSED GATE
I HAVE GHOSTS ENOUGH
OF MY OWN TO KEEP


JOSEPH'S DEATH

IT WAS SUMMER AND THE WINDOWS WERE OPEN
THROUGH THEM HE COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF HOUSEWORK BEING DONE
THE SNATCH OF A SONG THE RUNNING OF WATER
THE SOUND OF A BROOM
IT WAS HOT BUT HE COULDN'T FEEL IT
HIS SHAWL WAS ABOUT HIS SHOULDERS
BUT HIS COLD WASN'T IN THE WEATHER
THE SOUND OF THE BROOM RAN ALL HIS DAYS TOGETHER
SO THAT HE THOUGHT HIMSELF ONCE MORE YOUNG
AND COMING TO CALL FLOWERS FRESHLY PICKED
UPON HIS YOUNG SWEET LOVE
HIS MARY
BUT THEN HIS MEMORY DARKENED
AND HIS BLOOD IN SPITE OF YEARS RAN HOT
ANGER POUNDED IN HIS BRAIN
I AM WITH CHILD
NO A THOUSAND RAVENS CRIED
NO A THOUSAND CROWS REPLIED
PANDEMONIUM OF THUNDER
LIGHTNING FLASH
AND DRIVING RAIN
NO HE CRIED TO NO ONE LISTENING
RACING FROM THE SUMMER STORM
RACING LOSING AND WAS CAUGHT
DRENCHED
THE RAIN RUNNING DOWN HIS FACE MIXING WITH HIS TEARS
NO HE WHISPERED TO THE EARTH
FACE PRESSED DOWN IN SOGGY GRASS
WHY HE SOBBED OH GOD WHY..
BUT NO ANSWER CAME THEN SOMETHING CAME
THE MEMORY OF HER WORDS
REMEMBER I LOVE YOU
HOW QUICK THE STORM
HOW SUDDEN THE SUN'S RETURN
SO THAT THE OLD MAN FELT ONCE MORE ITS HEAT
HE STRUGGLED TO FORM THE WORDS
FROM IN THE HOUSE THE QUESTION
DID YOU CALL
I LOVE YOU
DID YOU CALL
I LOVE YOU
DID YOU CALL
THEN JOSEPH DIED
ON THE DEATH OF A FATHER OF MY FRIEND

I MOURN YOU
THOUGH I NEVER KNEW YOU
I NEVER BOUGHT YOU A BEER
LAUGHED AT YOUR JOKES
OR SHARED YOUR VIEWS
YET I MOURN YOU STILL
FOR YOUR DEATH IS A LOSS TO ONE I LOVE
AND I AM DIMINISHED BY IT
AND SO I MOURN YOU
BUT MORE
FOR YOU SHAPED AND BROUGHT INTO BEING
MY FRIEND
SOMEWHERE IN YOU THEN WAS A GIFT OF BEAUTY
AND THAT MUCH BEAUTY IS NOW GONE
AND I MOURN YOU
NOW YOU SLEEP OUT IN THE RAIN
ALL YOUR ELEMENTS GOING BACK TO GOD
NOW THE SENSE OF LOSS GIVES MY FRIEND PAIN
BUT IN THE SPRING
WHEN CROCUS BUDS PEEK THROUGH THE SNOW
COME BACK
WITH MEMORIES WARM
ALL HARSH THOUGHTS FORGOTTEN
COME BACK WITH MEMORIES OF LAUGHTER
AND MAKE MY HEART-FRIEND
SMILE














THE ULTIMATE IS SILENCE

I THINK PERHAPS THE ULTIMATE IS SILENCE
WHEN ALL LOVE COMES HOME TO GOD TO REST
WHEN WORDS
WHICH DO NOT TELL THE HEART
ARE OVER
I THINK PERHAPS WE SHALL REVERT TO THE BEGINNING
AND WITH A SIGH BREATHE OUT OUR SOULS TO REST
WHEN SPIRIT OF GOD AND LOVE ARE REUNITED
AND SAFELY DWELL FOREVER IN GOD'S BREAST




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

REQUIEM FOR A DAD

ON THE DEATH OF A FATHER OF MY FRIEND

I MOURN YOU
THOUGH I NEVER KNEW YOU
I NEVER BOUGHT YOU A BEER
LAUGHED AT YOUR JOKES
OR SHARED YOUR VIEWS
YET I MOURN YOU STILL
FOR YOUR DEATH IS A LOSS TO ONE I LOVE
AND I AM DIMINISHED BY IT
AND SO I MOURN YOU
BUT MORE
FOR YOU SHAPED AND BROUGHT INTO BEING
MY FRIEND
SOMEWHERE IN YOU THEN WAS A GIFT OF BEAUTY
AND THAT MUCH BEAUTY IS NOW GONE
AND I MOURN YOU
NOW YOU SLEEP OUT IN THE RAIN
ALL YOUR ELEMENTS GOING BACK TO GOD
NOW THE SENSE OF LOSS GIVES MY FRIEND PAIN
BUT IN THE SPRING
WHEN CROCUS BUDS PEEK THROUGH THE SNOW
COME BACK
WITH MEMORIES WARM
ALL HARSH THOUGHTS FORGOTTEN
COME BACK WITH MEMORIES OF LAUGHTER
AND MAKE MY HEART-FRIEND
SMILE


JOURNEY'S END

STANDING BY MY WINDOW
WATCHING THE SUNSET GO
FROM MULTI-HUED TO LUMINESCENT PEARL
WATCHING A BIRD FLY
LONELY
ACROSS THE SKY
AND WONDER ING
WHY IS HE NOT HOME
AS I AM
WARM AND SHELTERED
AND WITH THE ONE I LOVE

WHY DOES HE FLY ACROSS THE SKY

THE LEGEND GOES
THAT 0N THE ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR DEATH
THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED THAT DAY
COME BACK TO VISIT FOR AWHILE
THEN FLY BACK TOWARD THE SUN

I WATCH THE SOUL OF THIS ONE FLY AND WONDER
WHY THERE IS SADNESS IN MY SOUL
FOR HE HAS GONE ON THAT LAST JOURNEY
ON WHICH WE ALL SHALL GO
AND HAS FOUND PEACE

AND LEFT ME CRYING
WITH A PIECE OF ME TORN OUT
AND FLYING TOWARD THE SUN

SHALL I LAUGH WITH TEARS
OR CRY WITH LAUGHTER
OR WISH YOU WELL ON YOUR JOURNEY

TO DREAMS FOR YOU
TO SORROW FOR US
AND TO THE CONSOLING THOUGHT
THAT IT IS GOD'S HAND AWAITING THE BIRD OF YOUR SOUL
TO GIVE IT SHELTER
TO GIVE IT A HOME
A PLACE OF WARMTH
OF LOVE
AND AN END TO THE JOURNEY
















THE SHAWL


THE SHAWL IS FINISHED
I HAVE WOVEN THE WOOL WITH TEARS
I HAVE HURT MY FINGERS
AND SUCKED SORROW

BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING NOW

IT WAS FITTING HE SHOULD DIE IN FALL
OR EARLY WINTER REALLY
WHEN GRAYNESS COMES UPON THE LAND

WOULD I CALL HIM BACK
TO RE-SUFFER ALL HIS PAINS
TO ELIMINATE MY OWN

DID I NOT LOVE HIM TO THE POINT I COULD LET HIM GO
IF GOING WERE THE BETTER CHOICE

BUT I AM DONE WITH WEEPING

THE SHAWL IS FINISHED

I SHALL FIND OTHER THINGS TO DO



TO MY FATHER

I DID NOT ALWAYS LOVE YOU
THERE WERE TIMES WHEN YOUR PARENTAL CARE
CHAFED ACROSS MY FREEDOM DREAMS
LIKE A CAGED SPARROW I BEAT AGAINST THE BARS
NOT KNOWING I WAS TOO YOUNG TO FLY
BUT THEN I WAS MARRIED
AND THEN I GREW UP
AND MY CHILDREN HEARD IN MY VOICE THE ECHO OF YOURS

I SAW THE SAME BIRD BEATING IN THEIR EYES
I FELT THE SAME SAD BEWILDERMENT OF A FATHER
WITH HIS CHILD
AND I LEARNED TO LOVE YOU
IT IS PROBABLY IN THE NATURE OF THINGS
THAT A PERSON SHOULD ONLY KNOW HIS FATHER AS HE AGES
AS HE HIMSELF BECOMES FATHER TO THE CHILD
IF IT WILL COMFORT
KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU
AND I REGRET
IT TOOK SO LONG


WHY

WHY
OF ALL THE LEAVES THAT FELL IN AUTUMN
THAT ONE TOOK MY EYE
PERHAPS IT WAS THE WAY IT FELL
RELUCTANT TO COME DOWN
SOARING HIGHER THAN THE TREE IT LEFT
WHIRLING AND WHIRLING UNTIL WITH ONE LONG GLIDE
IT SETTLED ON THE POND
MOVING ON THE WATER WITH THE BREEZE
THEY WILL NOT COME
THEY CANNOT COME
NOT EVEN IF WE CAME FOR THEM
THEY ARE SICK AT CHRISTMAS
AND CANNOT COME
MY PARENTS TO THE HOMECOMING
THE GATHERING OF THE CLAN
MY HOUSE THE LARGEST
THEY CANNOT COME
SOMEDAY I KNOW THE UMBILICAL CORD OF WHERE I CAME FROM
MUST BE CUT
AND I AM CHRISTIAN BORN AND BRED
AND DO BELIEVE
THAT LIFE FLOWS ON PAST DEATH
BUT THERE IS THAT PART OF ME THAT CRIES OUT STOP
STOP CLOCKS AND TIDES AND SEASONS ROLL
LET IT ALWAYS BE SPRING
OR AT LEAST AUTUMN
FOR AUTUMN IS WHERE THEY ARE
LATE AUTUMN
BUT DO I REALLY WISH THIS FOR MY FATHER
HE WHOM I FEARED THEN LOVED THEN WORRIED OVER LIKE A BABY
SHALL I KEEP HIM LATE IN AUTUMN
AND MY MOTHER GENTLE WITCH
DRUID PRIESTESS FROM ANOTHER TIME
PROTECTOR OF LIFE TEACHER OF ROBINS TO FLY
MAKER OF WHO I AM
SHOULD SHE STAY IN AUTUMN
DOES SHE NOT YEARN ONCE MORE TO BE JOINED TO MOTHER EARTH
TO CHANGE TO TRANSMUTE HER LIFE
TO BECOME TREES AND FLOWERS AND FLOWING GRASS
MY MOTHER EVER YOUNG
SHOULD SHE STAY IN AUTUMN
I THINK WHAT FRIGHTENS ME MOST
IS THAT WHEN THEY'RE GONE
I SHALL HAVE NO HISTORY
OR IS IT THAT I SHALL BE PROMOTED TO THEIR PLACE
AS ELDEST OF THE LINE
I'M SURE THIS CHRISTMAS WILL BE WARM
THE CLAN GATHERING LIKE MANY CANDLES
COMING TO MAKE A FIRE
THAT WE WILL CALL MY PARENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE
AND WISH THEM WELL
MAKE PLANS FOR OUR VISIT
BUT KNOWING ME
THERE WILL BE A TIME ON CHRISTMAS EVE
WHEN I SHALL DRAW THE CURTAINS ON THE HOUSE
SIT BY THE FIRE
AND TRY TO GET WARM


ON THE EVENING OF THE DAY HE DIED

ON THE EVENING OF THE DAY HE DIED
THROUGH THE WINDOW WHERE WE SAT
WAITING ON THE WORD
A RISING SUN AND QUARTER MOON
WERE VISIBLE IN THE SKY
BUSY BIRDS IN MORNING FLIGHT
AND ICICLES NOT YET WARMED BY DAY
ALPHA AND OMEGA
BEGINNING AND ENDING
BEGINNING
MY FATHER'S DEAD
I TOOK HIS FACE INTO MY HANDS
AND CALLED TO HIM PAST HIS UNCONSCIOUSNESS
GO TO SLEEP DAD
WE'RE ALL HERE
MOM IS WITH US AND WE ARE SAFE
THEN HE DIED
I HAD WISHED HIM DEAD
I HAD TOLD THE DOCTORS
THAT I WISHED HIM DEAD
NOT A BODY BREATHING
BUT HE WOULD NOT GO
TILL LIKE IN YOUNGER DAYS
HE WOULD NOT SLEEP TILL WE WERE HOME
TILL I COULD SAY
SLEEP WELL DAD
WE ARE HOME AND WE ARE SAFE
IN THE EVENING OF THAT DAY HE SLIPPED AWAY
MY MOTHER STOOD BY HIS BED AND SAID
YOU'RE STILL A HANDSOME MAN
I COULD NOT CRY


THE SHELL


IS IT JUST HIS DEATH THAT WE REMEMBER
IN THIS GIVING OF THIS CUP
THIS SHELL THIS BAPTISMAL DEVICE
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 TELL 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

LYMPHOMANIA - THE MUSICAL

LYMPHOMANIA



THE MUSICAL




BY

FRANK A VOLLMER


BEING A REFLECTION
ON HIS CANCER
AND SUBSEQUENT ILL HEALTH




AUTUMN NOW

ON LEARNING HE HAD LYMPHOMA

I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
I HAVE FELT WINTER'S FIRST CHILL
AND COULD NOT GET WARM
BUT I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW

I HAVE WONDERED AT THE MARVEL OF THE LEAVES
AT THE BEAUTY OF THEIR PASSING
AND THEIR RELUCTANCE TO LET GO
RELUCTANT TO LEAVE THOSE THEY CARE ABOUT
BECAUSE I LOVE
AND AM LOVED
THEREBY SHARING IN THE DIVINITY

AND IN FACING THE DIVINITY
KNOW
THAT NOT EVERY DAY WAS PERFECT
EVERY DAY
WEEK
MONTH
YEAR
EVERY PAGE
CHAPTER
BOOK
EVERY I NOT DOTTED
EVERY T NOT CROSSED
AND WHEN DONE
NOT DONE WELL
WINTER THOUGHTS
WINTER THOUGHTS
BUT I AM IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW

I ASK THE PAST FOR FORGIVENESS
TO LET ME LAY MY BURDEN DOWN
KNOWING THAT FORGIVENESS
IS ALSO REQUIRED OF ME
IF I WOULD LAY MY BURDEN DOWN


BUT THE DAYS OF AUTUMN ARE NOT OVER
OH THAT I COULD MAKE MY AUTUMN BEAUTIFUL
TO CLING TENACIOUSLY TO THE TREE
NEITHER WILLING DEPARTURE
IN MIND OR BODY
OR THE LEAVING OF LOVED ONES

UNTIL CALLED BY THAT GREAT SUMMONS
TO BEGIN
THAT PEACEFUL
NOSTALGIC
ACCEPTING
JOURNEY HOME

BUT
AS FOR NOW
I AM MORE IN TUNE WITH AUTUMN NOW
AND THERE IS SERENITY IN MY SOUL


THE NAMING OF PILLS

TODAY WE HAD THE NAMING OF PILLS
BUT FIRST WE HAD THE DISMISSAL OF PILLS
THE MULTI VITAMIN AND THE E
GONE
AS IF IN DISGRACE
THEY HAD NOT PREVENTED THE CONDITION

A BIT OF WHIMSY THERE

ACTUALLY THE WERE NOT COMPATIBLE
WITH THE NEW

ONE TO KEEP THE BLOOD FLOWING
ONE FOR NAUSEA
IF I NEED IT
ONE TO KEEP MY SYSTEM HEALTHY
ONE TO ATTACK THE TUMOR
BUT THIS ONE WE NUMBER AMONG THE PILLS

THE PILLS ARE LOWLY SERVANTS
INFERIOR TO THE INFUSIONS
WHICH HAVE A BETTER PRESS

BUT ALL IN ALL A TOXIC COCKTAIL
BOTTOMS UP
AND HAIR LOSS TOO
HOW COULD I BE SO LUCKY

THE JOURNEY STARTS
A HESITANT STEP
THE DRINKS ARE SERVED

TO YOUR HEALTH GOOD SIR
I'LL DRINK TO THAT



THAT WORD

WHEN THE DOCTOR FIRST SAID THAT WORD
IT WAS AS IF THE WORLD HAD STOPPED

A CLICHÉ MOST TIMES
EXCEPT WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU

BUT IT ONLY HAPPENS TO YOU

ALL AROUND YOU
EVERYONE ELSE
WAS GOING ON
WITH THEIR JOURNEYS
ONE OF WHICH WAS THE DOCTOR'S TASK
OF TELLING ME
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME

AND AS HE SPOKE
A DIFFERENT DIRECTION
WAS GIVEN TO MY JOURNEY

NO TRAVELING
IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE
AT THIS TIME

WE NEED THE FOLLOWING TESTS
DONE IMMEDIATELY
TILL A WEEK OF TESTS
HAD GONE BY
WHICH WHEN READ
REQUIRED MORE TESTS
A BIOPSY
AND A SHUNT INSTALLED

IT'S ALL DONE NOW
AND I SIT NOW
AS IF BEFORE A MAGIC CUP
CHALICE
GRAIL
A MAGIC CUP OF HEALING POISON

IT REMINDS ME OF GRACE
DESTROYING SIN
BUT NOT THE SINNER

DESTROYING A PART OF ME
TO LEAVE ME WHOLE

THIS IS NOT THE CUP
THAT I WOULD CHOOSE TO DRINK

BUT THIS CUP IS A NECESSARY ONE
THAT I MUST DRINK

I FEEL LIKE PETER
WHEN JESUS SAID
SOMEONE ELSE WILL DRESS
AND LEAD YOU

SHELTER ME AS I DRINK THIS POTION
SURELY YOUR GOODNESS
AND KINDNESS
HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WITH ME
AND I REST IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
LIKE BABY BIRD
BEING FED BY ITS MOTHER



THE C WORD

WHEN PILATE
FIRST SAID THE C WORD
TO YOU JESUS

DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT

SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART

IN OUR MUTUAL PASSIONS
I FIND MUCH THAT IS SIMILAR

STRUGGLING UP YOUR HILL
YOU FELL OFTEN

STRUGGLING UP MY HILL
I FIND MANY WEAK TIMES

YOU HAD SIMON
I HAVE THE DOCTOR

YOU HAD THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM
I HAVE THE NURSES
WHO HAVE PUT AWAY THEIR WAILING RAGS
AND BECOME TRUE PROFESSIONALS

A TRIBUTE TO YOU
WHO RAISED THE STATUS OF WOMEN
BY BEING BORN

AND THEREBY SAYING
THAT ALL CREATION IS BEAUTIFUL
AND THEREFORE EQUAL

AND ON THE HILLTOP
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF…
THERE I'VE SAID THE WORD
YOU DESTROYED THE CANCER OF MY SIN
YOU SET ME FREE
TO LIVE A HOLY AND A WHOLLY LIFE

AND ON MY HILLTOP
LET ME SAY WITH YOU
FATHER IT IS FINISHED
CURED OR AT LEAST IN REMISSION

AND WE SHALL WALK
OUR EASTER MORNINGS
SIDE BY SIDE

FRIENDS AS ALWAYS
WE HAVE WALKED
THROUGH THE DARK PORTAL
AND FOUND SUN SHINE


BUT FIRST
WHEN PILATE SAID THE C WORD TO YOU JESUS
DID YOU STEP BACK
BLINK
PRAY FOR COURAGE
DID THE WORLD GO AWAY FOR AN INSTANT

SAYING YES LORD JESUS
ENDEARS YOU TO MY HEART
BECAUSE SO DID I


HOSPITAL GOWN


MY FRONT BEING PROPERLY HIDDEN
I SHALL NOT MENTION IT
BUT IN THE REAR
MY DERRIERE
PROVOKES LAUGHTER

AND AMUSEMENT

I DO NOT SHARE

MODESTY IS OUT THE WINDOW
ALAS ALACK ALAY
ANY ONE HAVE A SAFETY PIN
IT WOULD REALLY SAVE THE DAY
HOLDING CANE
AND CATHETER
I DO NOT HAVE A HAND
TO HIDE
MY
(FOR OTHERS)
AMUSING BUTT
AND SO I STAND A GAPING
FOR ALL THE WORLD TOO SEE
BUT SEE NO ONE’S LOOKING
AT MY
HEINIE
OR ME

DRUID ROCKS - THE TREATMENT ROOM

WE WERE SITTING ROUND THE WALLS
LIKE DRUID ROCKS
WAITING FOR THE SOLSTICE

ONE CHAIR MISSING
THROUGH WHICH THE PRIESTESS CAME
DISPENSING THE MAGIC FLUID
THE EYE OF THE NEWT
THE TAIL OF A DRAGON
THE HEALING POISON

AND WE SIT IN A RING
AROUND THE ROOM
LIKE DRUID ROCKS
WAITING FOR THE SOLSTICE

LIKE DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
PRAYING TO THE GODS
THAT THE DAYLIGHT WOULD STAY
OR THAT THE DAYLIGHT WOULD COME BACK

DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
TRYING TO PLACATE AN ANGRY GOD

DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
WHILE THE PRIESTESS
CHECKS OUR PULSE
OUR BLOOD PRESSURE
AND OUR TEMPERATURE
WHETHER WE ARE THIRSTY
OR ANY OTHER NEED
DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING

I AM PART OF THAT RING
BUT MY GOD IS NOT ANGRY
WHERE TWO OR THREE…
FOR WE ARE GATHERED IN HIS NAME
EVEN THOUGH SOME OF US MAY NOT KNOW IT

DRUIDS SITTING IN A RING
LOOKING PAST THE WITCH'S BREW
KNOWING THAT NO MATTER HOW DARK THE DAY
THE SUN IS SHINING
AND WILL NOT GO AWAY

PS 121/TAPS/ NIGHT PRAYER


ALL IS WELL
SAFELY REST
GOD IS NIGH

HE DOES NOT SLEEP OR SLUMBER

WATCHING ALL THE NIGHT

HE IS MY GUIDE AND PATHFINDER

MY FOOT SHALL NOT SLIP

THE BREEZE COMES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

COOLING THE VALLEY AND DESERT BELOW

HE GUARDS ME FROM THE NIGHT DEMONS

AND THE EFFECTS OF THE MOON

HE NEITHER SLUMBERS NOR SLEEPS

HE WATCHES OVER ME

MY GOING IN AND GOING OUT

HE IS MY SHADE IN THE SUN

AND MY SHAWL FOR THE NIGHT CHILL

HE NEITHER SLUMBERS NOR SLEEPS

ALL IS WELL
SAFELY REST
GOD IS NIGH

AND NEVER SLEEPS


WHO.....

WHERE HAVE I BEEN
WHERE HAVE I BEEN WANDERING
IN THE DESERT
IN THE WARRENS OF CHEMO
WHERE WORDS DO NOT MAKE SENSE
AND SENTENCES DO NOT CONNECT

BUT WHO HAS PRAYED FOR ME
WHEN I WAS ELSEWHERE
AND KNOW THE ANSWER IN THE QUESTION

BANDS OF ANGELS HOVERING
ALL THE SAINTS ARE GATHERED

BEHOLD WHO YOU ARE
THE BODY OF CHRIST
NOT GUARANTEED SAFE JOURNEY
BIT JOINED WITH THAT GREAT COMPANY
GUARANTEED SAFE DELIVERY

WE ARE STILL IN TREATMENT
THE DOCTOR CLINGS TO ME
LIKE A LOVER HE WILL NOT LET GO
NEW TREATMENTS ARE TO FOLLOW
A LOW POINT THERE
I THOUGHT I WAS DONE
TILL I WAS TOLD
REST AWHILE
THEN WE START AGAIN
DOWN A DIFFERENT PATH
DOWN WHICH I WILL GO
JOYFULLY BURDENED
BY ALL WHO HOLD ME IN THEIR HEART
AND PRAYER

WHO PRAYS FOR YOU
WHEN YOU CANNOT PRAY
GOD DOES
AND ALL HIS FRIENDS


BEHOLD WHO YOU ARE
THE BODY OF CHRIST

AND ALL THE ASSEMBLY SINGS
HOLY
HOLY
HOLY
A SOUND THAT RESONATES
WHEN ALL OTHER SOUNDS HAVE FADED


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


GOOD MORNING BROTHER ASS

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI DIED AT THE AGE OF 44 AFTER INCREASING ILL HEALTH, DUE IN PART TO THE WAY HE MISTREATED BROTHER ASS, AS HE CALLED HIS BODY.




GOOD MORNING BROTHER ASS
HOW ARE YOU THIS MORNING

BROTHER MULE IF YOU DON'T MIND

AH WE'RE INTO PROPRIETY TODAY ARE WE

ONLY FITTING
AFTER THE INDIGNITIES YOU PUT ME THROUGH

I'M ONLY DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU
AND ME

WELL ANYWAY
I'D RATHER BE KNOWN AS BROTHER MULE TODAY

TODAY AND EVERYDAY IF YOU SO DESIRE

OH DON'T BE SO POMPOUS
SOMETIMES YOU ACT LIKE AN ASS

BROTHER ASS IF YOU DON'T MIND
THIS SOUNDS LIKE A CONVERSATION
RUNNING AROUND IN A CIRCLE
SHALL WE BEGIN AGAIN

GOOD MORNING BROTHER MULE

GOOD MORNING BROTHER SOUL

SHALL WE BEGIN BY TAKING OUR PILLS
AS A SIGN OF PROMISE FOR THE DAY
YOU SEEM DOWN BROTHER MULE

I HAVE A QUESTION

ASK AWAY
YOU WILL NOT LEAVE ME WILLY-NILLY
AS IF YOU DIDN'T CARE

YOU HAVE MY WORD
WE WILL NOT PART BY CHOICE
SHALL WE BEGIN OUR DAY

MISTY LAND


IN THIS MISTY LAND IN WHICH I DWELL
PRODUCT OF FATIGUE AND CHEMICALS
THE CAROLS COME
THE CAROLS GO
ECHOES NOT QUITE RIGHTLY HEARD
EXCEPT THE ONES
THAT TALK OF SIMPLER THINGS
A MAN
A WOMAN
AND A BABY
WORKING AGAINST THE ODDS
WITH HELP FROM GOOD HEARTED PEOPLE

THE CHRISTMAS STORY REDUCED
TO A WOMAN
HOLDING HER BABY
USING HER BODY TO KEEP IT WARM
WHILE THE HUSBAND TENDS THE FIRE
AND FEEDS HIS WIFE
THEIR MEAGER MEAL
BUT IN THE JOY OF THE BABY
THEY KNOW NO PRIVATION

I WANTED TO SAY
THAT MARY'S HANDLING OF THE ANGEL'S MESSAGE
WHAT YOU WANT OF ME GOD
DO
WHAT IS WITHIN ME
MAY IT BEAR FRUIT

WHAT I WANTED TO SAY
IS THAT
MY OWN ACCEPTANCE IS SIMILAR

BUT IT IS TOO BIG A STRETCH
INSTEAD I WANT TO SAY
YES TO GOD
NOT AS A SLAVE
BUT AS A LOVED ONE

YES TO GOD
THAT I WILL DILIGENTLY FOLLOW
WHERE I AM LED
AND WILLINGLY ACCEPT
THE OUTCOME

SO FROM THIS MISTY LAND
WHERE NOW I DWELL
WHERE I FEEL LIKE THE BABY
WARMED BY ALL THE LOVE AROUND ME

WHILE I WAIT FOR THE MIST TO CLEAR
I WISH YOU ALL OF YOU
THAT ARE HOLDING ME
CLOSE TO YOUR HEART
I WISH FOR YOU
THE BABY'S BLESSINGS
AND ASK
THAT HIS TINY HANDS
BEGRIME YOUR SOUL
WITH MARKS OF LOVE
PEACE
JOY AND UNDERSTANDING


ABC……

THE PROBLEM IS
THAT WHEN THE MEDICINE
IS WORKING
IT CLOUDS THE MIND
AND PRAYING BECOMES DIFFICULT
AND SOMETIMES INCOHERENT

THE LEGEND IS
THAT THE JEWISH SHEPHERD
COMING HOME FROM THE HILLS
TO SPEND SABBATH WITH HIS FAMILY
COUNTED HIS SHEEP AND FOUND ONE MISSING
SENDING HIS SON AHEAD WITH THE FLOCK
HE RETURNED TO THE HILL
RACING THE STAR
THAT TOLD THE BEGINNING OF SABBATH
HE FOUND THE SHEEP
AND LOST THE RACE
AND TRUE TO HIS FAITH
SPENT SABBATH ON THE HILLSIDE
WITH HIS SHEEP

ON COMING HOME
HIS WIFE ASKED
HOW ARE YOU HUSBAND
WELL HE SAID
IT WAS AN INTERESTING
DISQUIETING TIME
HOW SHE SAID

I WAS ANXIOUS TO FIND MY SHEEP
I WAS HURRYING AND SWEATING
THEN THE SWEAT WENT COLD
AND THE SHEEP AND I HUDDLED BY THE FIRE
NEVER SEEMING TO GET WARM
I SAW IN THE FLAME
YOUR BEAUTIFUL SABBATH MEAL
I WANTED TO BE HOME SO MUCH
IN THE WARMTH OF MY HOME AND FAMILY

I WANTED TO PRAY
BUT THE WORDS SPILLED OUT
IN AN INCOMPREHENSIBLE KALEIDOSCOPE
OF FEELING
OF WANTING
OF DISAPPOINTMENT

SO WHAT DID YOU DO MY HUSBAND

I SAID THE ALPHABET
FIGURING GOD COULD MAKE THE WORDS

THE PROBLEM IS
THE MEDICINE MAKES THE MIND GROW DIM

A
B
C
D…

AMEN


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
THEY 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
BUT UNGRATEFUL
AND MAY BE AGAIN

BUT FOR NOW
THANK YOU LORD



WERE THERE NOT TEN HEALED…

REMEMBRANCE OF THE MILLENNIUM

REMEBRANCE OF THE MILLENNIUM

I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME THOUGHTS WITH YOU
ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM
WHICH WE CELEBRATED IN 1999

FIRST
THE WORD ITSELF
COMES FROM THE LATIN MILLE
WHICH MEANS ONE THOUSAND
AND ANNUS, WHICH MEANS YEAR
SO MILLENNIUM IS A THOUSAND YEARS.

THE THOUGHT OF MILLENNIUM
IS FOUND IN REVELATION, CHAPTER 20
IN WHICH JOHN WRITES.
"AND I SAW THE SOULS
OF THOSE WHO HAD NOT WORSHIPED THE BEAST
OR HIS STATUE,
NOR ACCEPTED HIS MARK ON THEIR FOREHEAD
OR THEIR HANDS
THEY CAME TO LIFE AGAIN,
AND THEY REIGNED WITH CHRIST
FOR A THOUSAND YEARS".

THE WORD CALENDAR
COMES FROM THE LATIN CALENDARIUM
WHICH MEANS A MONEYLENDERS ACCOUNT BOOK
THE LATIN WORD FOR THE FIRST OF THE MONTH
IS CALENDS

SO ON THE FIRST OF THE MONTH
(THE CALENDS)
YOUR DEBT WAS DUE TO THE MONEY LENDER
WHO KEPT HIS RECORDS OF YOUR PAYMENT
IN AN ACCOUNT BOOK
CALLED THE CALENDARIUM

A CALENDAR
IS A DEVICE FOR MEASURING TIME
BY DAY, WEEK, MONTH, YEAR, CENTURY
AND TEN CENTURIES IS A MILLENNIUM.

TO THE CHINESE WE ARE LIVING IN THE YEAR 4396
TO THE JEWS WE ARE LIVING IN YEAR 5760
TO THE MOSLEMS WE ARE LIVING IN THE YEAR 1377
AND TO THE CHRISTIAN WORLD WE ARE LIVING IN THE YEAR 1999

SO TO MUCH OF THE WORLD
IF IT WASN'T FOR THE Y2K COMPUTER PROBLEM
THERE WOULD BE NO MILLENNIUM PROBLEM.
AND FOR CHRISTIANS
IT IS NOT THE MILLENNIUM.
BECAUSE CHRIST WAS NOT BORN ON DEC 25
YEAR ONE AD, 2000 YEARS AGO



HE WAS BORN
MOST SCHOLARS BELIEVE
IN THE YEAR 6 BC
IN THE SPRING OR THE FALL

WHY DO WE SAY SPRING OR FALL.
BECAUSE THE BIBLE TELL US
THE SHEPHERDS WERE IN THE FIELDS ABIDING
AND IN PALESTINE
THAT MEANT SPRING OR FALL
IN THE WINTER IT WAS TOO COLD TO LIVE OUTDOORS
IN THE SUMMER THE GRASS WAS GREEN
CLOSE TO THEIR HOME
AND THEY DID NOT HAVE TO PASTURE THEIR FLOCKS
AWAY FROM THE VILLAGE

SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN
NEXT NEW YEARS EVE
MOST LIKELY NOTHING
DICK CLARK WILL HOST THE TIME SQUARE PARTY.
WE WILL ALL COUNT DOWN THE LAST TEN SECONDS,
BLOW HORNS,
KISS OUR LOVED ONES,
MAKE RESOLUTIONS
AND WONDER
WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF ME
AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD,
WHAT DOES HE REQUIRE OF A PEOPLE
WHO CANNOT EVEN GET HIS SON'S BIRTHDAY CORRECT

WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF US
IS TO REMEMBER
THAT BEFORE TIME BEGAN
WHEN ALL THAT EXISTED
WAS ONLY ETERNAL GOD
THAT, THAT SAME GOD
LOVED US BEFORE HE CREATED US,
LOVED US KNOWING WE WOULD FAIL HIM,
LOVED US KNOWING WE WOULD SLAY HIS SON
LOVED US KNOWING HIS SON'S DEATH
WOULD AVENGE OUR GUILT

ALL HE ASKS IS OUR LOVE
THIS IS THE DEBT HE DEMANDS OF US
THIS IS THE DEBT
HE WILL MARK
IN HIS MONEY LENDERS BOOK
HIS CALENDARIUM

AND IN RETURN FOR THIS DEBT
THAT WE OWE HIM
HE WILL BE OUR FATHER
LONG AFTER TIME IS ENDED

HE WILL BE OUR SAVIOR
LONG AFTER TIME IS ENDED

HE WILL BE OUR COMFORTER
LONG AFTER TIME IS ENDED


FOR AS PAUL SAYS IN CORINTHIANS
NOW IS THE ACCEPTABLE TIME
NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION

OR AS IN THE PSALMS
THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE
LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT

SO THE MILLENNIUM
SHOULD NOT BE
A TIME OF FEAR FOR US

FOR THE GOD WHO LOVED US
BEFORE TIME BEGAN,
WHO LOVES US NOW
AS DAYS BECOME WEEKS
AS WEEKS BECOME MONTHS
AS MONTHS BECOME YEARS
AS YEARS BECOME CENTURIES,
AND AS CENTURIES BECOME MILLENNIUMS

THIS GOD
THROUGH ALL THE CIRCLE OF ETERNITY
PAST THE POINT WHERE TIME SHALL CEASE
WILL LOVE US STILL

SO WE SHOULD EMBRACE GOD'S LOVE
NOT WITH FEAR
THAT GOD IS COMING TO PUNISH US
AT THE START OR END OF A MILLENNIUM

BUT RATHER WE SHOULD RECEIVE GOD'S LOVE
AS A FAVORED CHILD
WHO KNOWS THAT GOD’S HEART
AND CAPACITY FOR LOVE
IS GREATER THAN HIS OR HER ABILITY
TO COMPREHEND IT

SO ON Y2K
COMPUTERS MAY CRASH
BUT GOD'S LOVE
AND GOD'S WORD
WILL GO ON
AS IF IT NEVER HAPPENED


f. a. vollmer

WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE

WARNINGWhen I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go
and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy
and summer gloves
And satin sandals,
and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops
and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked
and surprised
When suddenly I am old,
and start to wear purple.

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARDEN

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarden
Most of what I really need to know
about how to live,
what to do,
and how to be,
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom
was not at the top
of the graduate school mountain,
but there in the sandbox at nursery school.
These are things I learned:
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life.
Learn some and draw and paint and sing and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

THE EASTER SERMON OF JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

The Easter Sermon of John Chrysostom
Pastor of Constantinople (~400 AD)IS THERE ANYONE WHO IS A DEVOUT LOVER OF GOD?LET THEM ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL BRIGHT FESTIVAL!IS THERE ANYONE WHO IS A GRATEFUL SERVANT?LET THEM REJOICE AND ENTER INTO THE JOY OF THEIR LORD!ARE THERE ANY WEARY WITH FASTING? LET THEM NOW RECEIVE THEIR WAGES!IF ANY HAVE TOILED FROM THE FIRST HOUR, LET THEM RECEIVE THEIR DUE REWARD;IF ANY HAVE COME AFTER THE THIRD HOUR, LET HIM WITH GRATITUDE JOIN IN THE FEAST!AND HE THAT ARRIVED AFTER THE SIXTH HOUR, LET HIM NOT DOUBT; FOR HE TOO SHALL SUSTAIN NO LOSS.AND IF ANY DELAYED UNTIL THE NINTH HOUR, LET HIM NOT HESITATE; BUT LET HIM COME TOO.AND HE WHO ARRIVED ONLY AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR, LET HIM NOT BE AFRAID BY REASON OF HIS DELAY.FOR THE LORD IS GRACIOUS AND RECEIVES THE LAST EVEN AS THE FIRST.HE GIVES REST TO HIM THAT COMES AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR, AS WELL AS TO HIM THAT TOILED FROM THE FIRST.TO THIS ONE HE GIVES, AND UPON ANOTHER HE BESTOWS.HE ACCEPTS THE WORKS AS HE GREETS THE ENDEAVOR.THE DEED HE HONORS AND THE INTENTION HE COMMENDS.LET US ALL ENTER INTO THE JOY OF THE LORD! FIRST AND LAST ALIKE RECEIVE YOUR REWARD; RICH AND POOR, REJOICE TOGETHER!SOBER AND SLOTHFUL, CELEBRATE THE DAY!YOU THAT HAVE KEPT THE FAST, AND YOU THAT HAVE NOT, REJOICE TODAY FOR THE TABLE IS RICHLY LADEN!FEAST ROYALLY ON IT, THE CALF IS A FATTED ONE.LET NO ONE GO AWAY HUNGRY. PARTAKE, ALL, OF THE CUP OF FAITH.ENJOY ALL THE RICHES OF HIS GOODNESS!LET NO ONE GRIEVE AT HIS POVERTY, FOR THE UNIVERSAL KINGDOM HAS BEEN REVEALED.LET NO ONE MOURN THAT HE HAS FALLEN AGAIN AND AGAIN; FOR FORGIVENESS HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE.LET NO ONE FEAR DEATH, FOR THE DEATH OF OUR SAVIOR HAS SET US FREE.HE HAS DESTROYED IT BY ENDURING IT.HE DESTROYED HELL WHEN HE DESCENDED INTO IT.HE PUT IT INTO AN UPROAR EVEN AS IT TASTED OF HIS FLESH.ISAIAH FORETOLD THIS WHEN HE SAID,"YOU, O HELL, HAVE BEEN TROUBLED BY ENCOUNTERING HIM BELOW."HELL WAS IN AN UPROAR BECAUSE IT WAS DONE AWAY WITH.IT WAS IN AN UPROAR BECAUSE IT IS MOCKED.IT WAS IN AN UPROAR, FOR IT IS DESTROYED.IT IS IN AN UPROAR, FOR IT IS ANNIHILATED.IT IS IN AN UPROAR, FOR IT IS NOW MADE CAPTIVE.HELL TOOK A BODY, AND DISCOVERED GOD. IT TOOK EARTH, AND ENCOUNTERED HEAVEN.IT TOOK WHAT IT SAW, AND WAS OVERCOME BY WHAT IT DID NOT SEE.O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING?O HELL, WHERE IS THY VICTORY?CHRIST IS RISEN, AND YOU, O DEATH, ARE ANNIHILATED!CHRIST IS RISEN, AND THE EVIL ONES ARE CAST DOWN!CHRIST IS RISEN, AND THE ANGELS REJOICE!CHRIST IS RISEN, AND LIFE IS LIBERATED!CHRIST IS RISEN, AND THE TOMB IS EMPTIED OF ITS DEAD;FOR CHRIST HAVING RISEN FROM THE DEAD,IS BECOME THE FIRST-FRUITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP.TO HIM BE GLORY AND POWER FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN!

SERMON - THINGS I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT

THINGS I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT



I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU NOW,
THINGS ABOUT WHICH I KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

IN SCRIPTURE STUDY WE ARE TOLD
THAT ANYTHING WHICH WAS ORDINARY IN LIFE
LIKE EATING, DRINKING, WALKING, SLEEPING
WERE NOT MENTIONED
ONLY WHATEVER WAS CONSIDERED
BY THE SCRIPTURE WRITERS
AS EXTRAORDINARY WERE MENTIONED.

LET ME TELL YOU OF THINGS
I FEEL FROM THE HEART
ABOUT THOSE SOME THINGS I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.

FIRST MY HEART TELLS ME
THAT THE FIRST PERSON JESUS SAW
AFTER HIS RESURRECTION
WAS HIS MOTHER.
I SAY THIS
NOT FROM MY HEAD
BUT FROM MY HEART,
FROM OUT OF MY OWN EXPERIENCE.

I CALLED MY MOTHER
WHEN SHE WAS ALIVE
WEEKLY,
NOT SO MUCH TO ASK HOW SHE WAS,
BUT TO TELL HER
THAT I WAS WELL.
SHE WORRIED ABOUT OUR WEATHER,
THE SNOW, THE STORMS,
WERE WE WARM, WAS I HAPPY.
NO MATTER
THAT SHE HER SELF
WAS SICK,
SHE WANTED TO KNOW
THAT HER SON WAS SAFE.
SO I CALLED HER AND
TOLD HER
THAT I WAS MUCH LOVED
BY MY WIFE
AND BY THE MEMBERS
OF THE CHURCH TO WHICH I BELONGED.
AND MY MOTHER RESTED EASY.
HER SON WAS SAFE.

MY HEART SAYS,
JESUS SAW HIS MOTHER
TO TELL HER HE WAS WELL.


SECOND MY HEART TELLS ME
WHAT JESUS SAID TO PETER
WHEN THEY FIRST MET AFTER THE RESURRECTION.

IN MY HEART THE CONVERSATION GOES LIKE THIS.

FORGIVE ME LORD.
PETER, FEED MY LAMBS.
I AM TRULY SORRY LORD.
PETER, FEED MY SHEEP.
HOW CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME LORD.
PETER I LOVE YOU.


I HAVE SHARED WITH YOU THOUGHTS
ABOUT WHICH I KNOW NOTHING.

I DO NOT KNOW WHEN JESUS MET HIS MOTHER,
OR WHAT JESUS SAID TO PETER.

BUT THIS I DO KNOW.
THAT THERE ARE THREE THINGS I AM SURE OF.
THEY ARE.

THAT JESUS LOVED HIS MOTHER.

THAT JESUS LOVED PETER,
BEFORE, DURING AND EVER AFTER HIS BETRAYAL.

AND THAT JESUS LOVES US,
NO MATTER WHAT SHAPE
OUR JOURNEY HAS
TAKEN TO THIS MOMENT.
NO MATTER WHAT SHAPE
OUR JOURNEY WILL TAKE
AS WE GO ON.
JESUS HAS, DOES AND ALWAYS WILL LOVE US.

FINALLY I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THOMAS.

POOR THOMAS,
NO MATTER HOW LONG HE WOULD LIVE
OR HOW MUCH HE WOULD ACCOMPLISH
HE WOULD BE KNOWN AS DOUBTING THOMAS.

MY HEART SAYS
I WOULD HAVE LIKED
TO HAVE BEEN LIKE MARY MAGDALENE
WHO LOVED JESUS WITHOUT QUESTION,
WHO RAN FROM THE TOMB
WITH SUCH EXCITEMENT
THE MEN THOUGHT HER HYSTERICAL.
I WOULD HAVE
LIKED TO HAVE BEEN LIKE MARY.

BUT MY ENGINEERS HEAD
SAYS I WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THOMAS.

MY HEAD SAYS,
IT MUST BE PROVEN IN THE LAB,
IN THE WIND TUNNEL,
BY TEST FLYING THE AIRPLANE.

IT IS THE WAY OF MEN TO MEASURE.
THE BOOKKEEPER ADDS HIS NUMBERS,
THE SHOPPER FIGURES COST,
THE STOREKEEPER ADS PROFIT,
THE LAWYER ASSESSES LOSS,
THE MOTHER COUNTS THE MEALS,
THE TRAVELER WONDERS HOW FAR.

WE MEASURE THINGS AS MEN.
EVEN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL POEMS
IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SPEAKS OF LOVE THIS WAY.

HOW DO I LOVE THEE? LET ME COUNT THE WAYS.
I LOVE THEE TO THE DEPTH AND BREADTH AND HEIGHT
MY SOUL CAN REACH WHEN FEELING OUT OF SIGHT
FOR THE ENDS OF BEING AND IDEAL GRACE.
MEN MEASURE.
PERHAPS IT'S BECAUSE,
BY SIN, DEATH
CAME INTO THE WORLD.
AND THE DAYS OF OUR LIFE ARE LIMITED.
SO WE MEASURE
EVERYTHING AGAINST THE FINAL NIGHTFALL.

I WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THOMAS.

AND JESUS SAYS,
THAT'S ALL RIGHT
I LIKE YOU, JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.
I WOULD HAVE YOU BETTER,
BUT I LOVE YOU,
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.


I WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THOMAS,
I WOULD HAVE LIKED
TO HAVE BEEN
LIKE MARY MAGDALENE
WHO LOVED JESUS PASSIONATELY,
WITHOUT QUESTIONS.

BUT LISTEN, TO WHAT HE SAYS TO HER,
IN HIS HASTE, TO BE WITH US.
HE SAYS TO HER
DO NOT CLING TO ME,
BUT GO TELL MY DISCIPLES,
I AM COMING".

HE WAS EAGER
TO BE WITH THE ONES
WHO NEEDED HIS LOVE,
THE EMPTY, BROKEN, HURTING PEOPLE.
MARY KNEW SHE WAS LOVED,
THE OTHERS STILL WERE IN DARKNESS.
HE HAD TO BE WITH THEM.

WITH PETER WHO BETRAYED HIM
WITH THOMAS WHO DOUBTED HIM
WITH ALL THOSE WHO HAD RUN AWAY.

GOD ALWAYS SEEMS TO PICK
BROKEN PEOPLE FOR HIS WORK.

HE PICKED MOSES WHO STUTTERED
DAVID AN ADULTERER AND MURDERER
JACOB WHO STOLE AND CHEATED
NOAH WHO DRANK AND GOT DRUNK

GOD'S ALMOST PEOPLE.

HE SAYS,
WITH YOU I WANT TO BE.
MY ALMOST PEOPLE.

WHY GOD,
WOULD YOU WANT TO BE WITH US.
WE ARE BETRAYERS, DOUBTERS, IMPERFECT,
ALMOST PEOPLE.
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO BE WITH US.

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, HE SAYS.

IN THE LANGUAGE OF CHILDREN WE SAY,
HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE US GOD.

IN THE LANGUAGE OF CHILDREN
HE REPLIES, THIS MUCH. (EXTEND ARMS)

PRAYERS

Christ has no body now
on earth but yours; no hands
but yours; no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through
which He is to go about doing
good; yours are the hands with
which He is to bless people now."
St. Teresa of Avila

.................................................................

Down In The River To Pray
Traditional
Refrain 1:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Stary Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

O sisters, let's go down. Let'go down. Come on down.O sisters, let's go down, down in the river to pray.

Refrain 2:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Robe and Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

O brothers, let's go down. Let's go down. Come on down.Come on brothers, let's go down, down in the river to pray.

Refrain 1:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Stary Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

O fathers, let's go down. Let's go down. Come on down.O fathers, let's go down, down in the river to pray.

Refrain 1:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Stary Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

O mothers, let's go down. Come on down. Don't ya wanna go down?Come on mothers, let's go down, down in the river to pray.

Refrain 1:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Stary Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

O sinners, let's go down. Let's go down. Come on down.O sinners, let's go down, down in the river to pray.

Refrain 1:As I went down in the river to pray, studin' about that good ol' way,and who shall wear the Stary Crown; good Lord - show me the way.

..........................................................................................................................

EVENING PRAYER

OPENING MEDITATION

COME
COME TO THE RESTING PLACE
COME TO THE GARDEN
LEAVE ALL TROUBLES OUTSIDE
NO ONE WILL STEAL THEM
COME TO THE GARDEN
REST
BE AT PEACE
BE AT PEACE
COME TO THE GARDEN
AND SEE GOD’S FACE

PSALM 129

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIA.

OUT OF THE DEPTHS
I HAVE CRIED TO YOU,OH LORD:
LORD, HEAR MY VOICE.LET YOUR EARS BE ATTENTIVE
TO THE SOUND OF MY PLEADING.

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIA

IF YOU TAKE NOTICE OF OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, LORD –
LORD, WHO WOULD BE LEFT?BUT WITH YOU IS FORGIVENESS,
AND FOR THIS WE REVERE YOU.

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIA
I RELY ON YOU, LORD,
MY SPIRIT RELIES ON YOUR PROMISE;MY SOUL HOPES IN THE LORD,
MORE THAN THE WATCHMAN WAITING FOR DAYBREAK.
KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIAMORE THAN THE WATCHMAN
WAITS FOR DAYBREAK,
LET ISRAEL HOPE IN THE LORD:

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIA
FOR WITH THE LORD
THERE IS KINDNESS
AND ABUNDANT REDEMPTION.HE HIMSELF WILL REDEEM ISRAEL
FROM ALL ITS TRANSGRESSIONS.

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIAGLORY BE TO THE FATHER
AND TO THE SON
AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING,
IS NOW, AND EVER SHALL BE, WORLD WITHOUT END. AMEN.

KEEP US SAFE, LORD, WHILE WE ARE AWAKE, AND GUARD US WHILE WE SLEEP, SO THAT WE MAY WATCH WITH CHRIST AND REST IN PEACE.
AMEN, ALLELUIA

SONG - SANCTUARY


ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD,
YOU HATE NOTHING
YOU HAVE MADE
AND FORGIVE THE SINS
OF ALL WHO ARE PENITENT:
CREATE
AND MAKE IN US
NEW AND CONTRITE HEARTS,
THAT WE,
WORTHILY LAMENTING OUR SINS
AND ACKNOWLEDGING OUR WRETCHEDNESS,
MAY OBTAIN OF YOU,
THE GOD OF ALL MERCY, PERFECT REMISSION
AND FORGIVENESS;
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD,
WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER.
AMEN.

MEDITATION

WHEN YOU WASH YOUR FACE TONIGHT
REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISM
SLEEP WELL
KNOWING YOU ARE FORGIVEN
(SPRINKLE WITH WATER)

A READING - EZECHIEL 34

THIS IS WHAT THE SOVEREIGN LORD SAYS:
I MYSELF WILL SEARCH FOR MY SHEEP
AND LOOK AFTER THEM. 12
AS A SHEPHERD LOOKS AFTER HIS SCATTERED FLOCK
WHEN HE IS WITH THEM,
SO WILL I LOOK AFTER MY SHEEP.
I WILL RESCUE THEM FROM ALL THE PLACES
WHERE THEY WERE SCATTERED
ON A DAY OF CLOUDS AND DARKNESS. 13
I WILL BRING THEM OUT FROM THE NATIONS
AND GATHER THEM FROM THE COUNTRIES,
AND I WILL BRING THEM INTO THEIR OWN LAND.
I WILL PASTURE THEM ON THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL,
IN THE RAVINES
AND IN ALL THE SETTLEMENTS IN THE LAND. 14
I WILL TEND THEM IN A GOOD PASTURE,
AND THE MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS OF ISRAEL
WILL BE THEIR GRAZING LAND.
THERE THEY WILL LIE DOWN IN GOOD GRAZING LAND,
AND THERE THEY WILL FEED IN A RICH PASTURE
ON THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL. 15


I MYSELF WILL TEND MY SHEEP
AND HAVE THEM LIE DOWN, DECLARES THE SOVEREIGN LORD . 16
I WILL SEARCH FOR THE LOST
AND BRING BACK THE STRAYS.
I WILL BIND UP THE INJURED
AND STRENGTHEN THE WEAK,
BUT THE SLEEK AND THE STRONG
I WILL DESTROY.
I WILL SHEPHERD THE FLOCK WITH JUSTICE.

SONG

LORDS PRAYER

WHEN YOU PRAY…

WHEN YOU PRAY
SAY
OUR FATHER
MOTHER
KEEPER OF THE DAWN
GATE OPENER FOR THE SUN
HE WHO WALKS BEFORE THE DAY BEGINS
HE WHO WATCHES THROUGH THE NIGHT
HE WHO DWELLS IN OUR HOME
FATHER
MOTHER
EVER THERE

TO WHOM OR WHAT
CAN WE GIVE GLORY
CAN ANYTHING WE DO
ADD TO YOU
YOU ARE SELF CONTAINED
WITHIN YOURSELF
BUT IN A SPECIAL WAY
YOU ARE INCOMPLETE
WITHOUT US
SO TO YOUR COMPLETENESS
WE ADD OUR LOVE
AND WE SING
HOLY HOLY HOLY
IS YOUR NAME

SHOW YOUR POWER
AND ESTABLISH YOUR KINGDOM
SHOW YOUR POWER
AND ESTABLISH YOUR WILL
BUT IT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE
FOR IT HAS BEEN WRITTEN ON OUR HEARTS
THE MEANS TO ESTABLISH YOUR KINGDOM
THE MEANS TO ESTABLISH YOUR WILL
ON EARTH
AS IT IS IN HEAVEN


GIVE US TODAY
FOOD FOR TODAY
MINDFUL OF OTHER'S NEEDS
MINDFUL THAT EVERYMAN
IS OUR BROTHER
MINDFUL THAT FOOD STORED
MAY NOT LAST
MINDFUL THAT WE SHOULD SHARE OUR SURPLUS
THAT WE SHOULD TRUST YOU FOR TOMORROW
GIVE US TODAY
OUR DAILY BREAD

DO NOT PUT US TO THE TEST
FOR OFTEN WE HAVE FAILED THE TEST
LIKE MOSES WE TAP THE ROCK TWICE
UNLIKE MOSES WE TAPPED IT MORE THAN TWICE
WHEN WE REMEMBERED TO TAP IT AT ALL
UNLIKE JOB
WE OFTEN CURSE
AND QUESTION
LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL
BUT ALSO WHERE WE FIND EVIL
LET US RESIST IT
FOLLOWING THE DICTATES
WRITTEN ON OUR HEARTS

TO ALL THE ABOVE
WE SAY AMEN


LET US PRAY THE PRAYER THAT JESUS TAUGHT US

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME.
THY KINGDOM COME.
THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.
AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS,
AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,
BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM,
AND THE POWER,
AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER. AMEN.

SONG - NOW THE DAY IS OVER

LET US PRAY.
LORD OUR GOD,
WE ARE TIRED BY THE WORK OF THE DAY.
REFRESH US WITH PEACEFUL SLEEP
AND, FOREVER RENEWED
BY THE HELP YOU GIVE,
LET US ALWAYS BE DEDICATED TO YOU
IN BODY AND MIND.THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

MAY THE ALMIGHTY LORD GRANT US A QUIET NIGHT
AND A PERFECT END.

AMEN

"KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD,
WITH THOSE WHO WORK,
OR WATCH, OR WEEP THIS NIGHT,
AND GIVE YOUR ANGELS
CHARGE OVER THOSE WHO SLEEP.
TEND THE SICK, LORD CHRIST;
GIVE REST TO THE WEARY,
BLESS THE DYING,
SOOTHE THE SUFFERING,
PITY THE AFFLICTED,
SHIELD THE JOYOUS;
AND ALL FOR YOUR LOVE'S SAKE. AMEN."

THE ALMIGHTY AND MERCIFUL LORD
THE FATHER
THE SON
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
BLESS US AND KEEP US
AMEN

........................................................................................................................................

Reading IV: Eivind Josef Berggrav (1884 - 1959)
Prayer in times of great need has its difficulties. It is especially difficult when one is writhing in agony. It seems impossible to pray. At the most one can protest, and more easily accuse God. I dare, in the name of Jesus Christ, to say: Yes, do it! Accuse God face to face if it is impossible for you to approach him in any other way. Do you think that God is unable to bear it? I go so far as to say that I believe He will understand you.... Speak out to God, break through all false ideas of piety, and come to God Himself.... All that matters is that you go straight away to God.... Personal need, family need, national need—if it becomesa prayer, even though only a cry to begin with, even though only a momentary sigh—if only it is directed towards God, it will give deliverance. Need which becomes bitterness creates a canker. Need which becomes a prayer creates life. The pain does not disappear. But the rose springs from just the same root as the thorns. This is confirmed by God’s word: “God makes good just what you thought bad.” Salvation springs from exactly that which seemed bad. It cannot happen if we simply clench our fists or engage in chance speculations. It happens, on the contrary, whenwe know our clear need for God.
“A Little While,” a sermon preached in Kristiansand Cathedral, Nov.
1941, about eighteen months after the Nazi occupation of Norway

...........................................................................................................

A Prayer In Old Age
Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am growing older, and will some day be old. Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.
\Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.
Keep my mind from the recital of endless details—give me wings to come to the point.

I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others' pains. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains—they are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Help me to endure them with patience.
I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a saint—some of them are so hard to live with—but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.
Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, 0 Lord, the grace to tell them so.

Make me thoughtful—but not moody: helpful, but not bossy.
With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but you know Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.
Amen.
17th century nun