CHRISTIAN POETRYANDTHE

INCREDIBIBLEJESUMANIAC

2013 by John Odziemek. All rights reserved.

Cover and book design by John Odziemek. Fonts courtesy of Cobb Shinn Stock Cuts, Vernon Adams, and Billy Argel.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission of the copyright holder, except as provided by USA copyright law.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society.

DEDICATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Blast Off ..................................................................................................... 1Hot Air? ....................................................................................................... 2A Worm, Not a Man ................................................................................... 3Ive Always Wanted .................................................................................... 4Three Heads ............................................................................................... 6The Atkins Diet Christian .......................................................................... 7He Is I Am .................................................................................................... 8Stepping Out .............................................................................................. 9Hope is Here ............................................................................................. 10Plugged In..................................................................................................11Purposed................................................................................................... 12Virtuous Definitions .................................................................................. 13A Ewe Named Daisy ................................................................................. 14Conversation Quartet .............................................................................. 17Influential Distractions ............................................................................. 19Monopolize Me ........................................................................................ 21Death Passes Through ............................................................................ 22Rockabye .................................................................................................. 23Remembering Dad ................................................................................... 24FSP ST ....................................................................................................... 25Tomatoes are a Fruit ................................................................................ 26Adams Rib ................................................................................................ 27The War Within ......................................................................................... 28With Without ............................................................................................ 30The Dinner Song of J. Denny Box-of-Rocks ............................................ 31One Day .................................................................................................... 34Jesumaniacs One and Only Tongue Twister .......................................... 35On Being a Creative ................................................................................. 36A (Bold) Calling ....................................................................................... 37The Bleeding Nation ............................................................................... 39Anonymous ............................................................................................... 41Blood Pores .............................................................................................. 42Clenched Release ..................................................................................... 43Brick and Brack ......................................................................................... 44Coffee Shop Cynic .................................................................................... 45Electric Lassos .......................................................................................... 46The Target on our Back ............................................................................ 48Till .............................................................................................................. 50Frames ..................................................................................................... 51Going, Going, Gone? ............................................................................... 52Haiku ......................................................................................................... 53Hungry Psalm............................................................................................ 54Hunter Has a Man Trap ............................................................................ 55Phony Fast ................................................................................................ 56I Am Your Pizza ....................................................................................... 57It Never Rains in Oz .................................................................................. 58The Green Mustache ................................................................................ 59Lines of Life ............................................................................................... 60The Path to Mediocrity ............................................................................ 61Nearing the End ....................................................................................... 62Pharaoh Chairs ......................................................................................... 63Pip Natch .................................................................................................. 64quik cmunity ............................................................................................. 65Rest Quietly .............................................................................................. 66Will I When I Did I? ................................................................................... 67The Journey .............................................................................................. 68Denouement ............................................................................................. 69

1Blast Off

Ladies and Gentle-worms! May I have your attention, please? Introducing the marvelous, spectacular, awe-inspiring, magical, mystical, magnificent, sensational, jaw-dropping, death-defying, indelible, and otherwise ineffable, the one and only, The Incredibible Jesumaniac! The crowd goes wild.

The Incredibible Jesumaniac adjusts his bent and tarnished steel-plated stunt helmet and flimsy goggles and struts confidently onto a circus stage to the furious applause from his admiring fans, and howls and scowls from four-flushers who demonstratively wish the sacrificial cannon baller would crash and burn.

The cast-iron cannon is lowered, and Jesumaniac positions himself into the unforgiving catacomb of woe and tribulation. Mothers cover their childrens eyes as a deafening drum roll fills the tent. A diabolical behemoth dressed in pink leotards holds up a flaming torch to light the impatient fuse that will send our intrepid hero on a split-second journey rocketing past the anxious crowd at 140 miles per hour with the intent to land safely on a man-sized net less than 100 feet away! Any error in angle or velocity will surely result in serious injury, or worsedeath!

The flame hits the fuse and suddenly a loud boom startles the onlookers. The Incredibible Jesumaniac flies through the air in a blur towards the intended landing spot! A hush silences the bewildered crowd as no one can make out the battle-scarred warrior through the blinding pall of smoke. Then suddenly, our man, the man, the man of men, appears through the cloud in grand fashion waving to his relieved fans and winking at his disappointed detractors; for Jesumaniac flieslike poetry in motionfor everyone.

2Hot Air?

He said to me, Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you. As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to meSay to them, This is what the Sovereign LORD says. And whether they listen or fail to listenfor they are a rebellious housethey will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Ezekiel 2:1-2, 4b-6a (NIV)

When it came my turn to prophesy,I rose up from behind the numb parishioners in pew 10,Hovering and flowing like a radiantMacys Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon.

Before the preachers wife could start the announcements,The bottom of my soul emptied I dont know what, but it felt likeMy mouth was one of those giant popcorn poppers at a movie theaterConverting dry seed kernels into something more

palatable.

I closed my eyes while chunks of Spiritual backlog Spewed out from heavens sequestered storehouse:

Pew-porridge hot,Pew-porridge cold,Pew-porridge in the pot,Turns stone cold;Some like it hot,Some like it cold,Some like to rot,Some grow mold.Declares the sovereign Lord!

3A Worm, Not a Man

Pull out your life chestAnd find aCan O Worms Opener

Grasp the knobWrench your wristPierce the Open Door

Greedily grabThe Passionate Grub Dye for kings; die for robes

Let it outSqueeze the squirmShake your head in mocking scorn

Nail it down Til dust of deathMeets its pouring sores

Crimson flows andScarlet trovesLead us to discover

The Worm our Shepherd;The barbed hook,His Crown of Thorns

4Ive Always Wanted

Ive always wantedTo try a Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich

At 28, I humbled myself And ateMy crunchy pride

The weight of my aimless worldVanishedAnd I became

Pregnant with joy!

Praises stuck to the roofOf my mouth asI took a Believing Bite

I tasted and relishedIts Saving SaltAnd Benign Brine

My soul hungered for moreAnd moreAnd more

Milk turned to meat

The bread outside was flatAs I Communed with Christ that day

5It didnt matter that I ate by faith andNotBy sight

Faith comes by hearingAnd seeking and trying and risking

Something new

What weve always wantedWas Someone We never knew

6Three Heads

I have three heads.And now that you know,Ill unfold my plural personality.

Slip into my coexistent subordinate selvesWhen you ask, How can three be one? and,One be three?Ill answer (with some questions):

How can water also be vapor and ice?How can the past, present, and future all intertwine?How can my love be so broad, and deep, and wide?

You see, I am moreComplex than you are.

I have three heads,And you have one.

7The Atkins Diet Christian

I have become an Atkins Diet ChristianA carnivorous soul-muncher crunching in the land of milk and moneyI get my fill by binge witnessing to the masses, butMy metabolism burns faster for the low, lied to, and lonely

I tremble at the thought of losing another hungry soulTo the imbalanced scale which weighs itself against usI am seasoned with sweet spices and glazed with anointing oilI dine on Gods Living Word and fill up on praiseful prayer

Im more than a carb-controlled milksopIm a Spirit-infused disciple, drunk on the River of LifeMy mind is preheated for action and replenished for His purposeI am fire-fried and revitalized, ready to serve His Main Course

8He Is I Am

He is I amthat I amThat He is I amis who Heis that I amWho Heis that I amis who I amthat I amI am Hisis who I amWho is Heis I am that I am

9Stepping Out

I thought life was about free will,Cranking up my mind-binding mettleOutside the lines of faith.

Until I foundThe boat I was on Was the sameAs yours:

Safe,But not Saved.

Then a Seed Sower stepped aboardMy carefree cruiseAnd confronted me about My Repeated Indecision.

Walking on water requiresAll of you, she admonished.

The conviction cut sharperThan the bow carving out The open water.

There would be no more doubt;For in His perfect will,And in His perfect time

He called to me, I answered,Stepping out in faith.

10

Hope is Here

Hope is hereThough wars aboundAnd lives are lostBut cant be found

It rests in the shelterOf the Most HighAnd will not fear The terror of night

Or the faces of men

Its hiddenThough doubt has wonThe minds of thoseWhose eyes have closed

Hope comes toThe soul who waitsFor His WordWhich simply states,

Hopes in here.

11

Plugged In

Plug me into Your power portLift me to the lightLoose me into loving YouWith all my meaty might.

Cure the cursed circuitGuide with gospel graceRestore, transform, and reconcileThe fettered human race.

Spark the sedate sensesRenew our inner zealTransfigure our infirmitySwell Your sovereign will.

Repel the polarized polemicsWho always demand their waysAnd vindicate Your peopleTo You we plead our case.

12

Purposed

age to agethe question priesdid we evolveor are we devised

you may not nowagree with methat seeds plantedare planned to be

and not just rowsof fertilized fieldsbut wild forests andpredestined hills

that endless speciessince time beganwere purposed insteadof happenstance

may I dig deeperand propagate your mindlife was made for reasonof the Created kind

13

Virtuous Definitions

Hope defeats all things that oppose itGrace refutes depravityHumility precedes victoryThe Deliverer forgets sins eternally

Mercy liberates the captive heartGiving gives vision motionFaith evaporates adversityThe Comforter animates our ability

Believing shakes the hand of destinyService firms a fertile futurePrayer dissolves anxietyThe Healer fills the thirsty

Surrender ignites visionWorship opens predestined doorsRighteousness exalts excellenceThe Protector armors the Body

Love determines the futureForgiveness heals the pastHearing comes from reading The Word of God outlasts

14

A Ewe Named Daisy

Late one summer eveningUnder heavens starry hallsAfter all the other sheep were curled upIn puffy snoring balls

A restless ewe named DaisyVentured out aloneInto the far reachesOf her grassy bordered home

Curiosity drew her out thereBeyond the guarded spaceShe wouldnt have the ShepherdTo guide her back in place

Outside the line of safetyThe enemy roamed aboutAnd when he noticed DaisyHe slowly wooed her out

Their ways are too restrictiveThats why youve come this wayOur rules are very limitedAmusement is okay.

To this she was affectedHer mind became perplexedDaisy had a choice to makeWhat move would she make next

15

Wrestle with traditionAnd the owner of her soulOr toy with worldly pleasuresShe felt her spirit pull

Im sick of rigid absolutesAnd tired of clean-cut customsI see no value in moral rulesOr archaic religious systems.

With that young Daisy made her pick(For no one can choose two masters)And crossed into the thorny bushBeyond the verdant pastures

At first she was excitedExploring the netherworldThe lights and sounds, the liberal mindsBefore them cast her pearls

But soon the ewe grew wearyHer tempter couldnt be foundTo save her from the downerOf empty nights downtown

The solution from acquaintancesWhen she asked for a reprieveWas Take this, read this, drink, my dear,Your answer is our relative beliefs.

16

This philosophy depressed her deeperShe longed for her conventional flockHere worship and prayer were only madeBy secretive spiritual rocks

Theres more to life than this I knowMore than all this idol behaviorAnd fighting with the ones who believe That life was made for pleasure.

So Daisy set her sights for homeAided by a bold witnessWho told her that it is OK anytimeTo seek Gods face and forgiveness

17

Conversation Quartet

The day after the Famous 2004 ElectionVeterans of WWIIAssembled at their usual tableDown at the Flying Elk Coffee ShopTo discuss, dissect, and debateRepresentative reasons for the results.

The oratory rose from pastoral notionsTo magnanimous melodies.

The captivated room became their audience.

It was the War on Terror, one rumbledIt was that Osama tape, grumbled anotherNo, it was religion! sounded a thirdMaybe it was Teresa! pounded the fourthThese men were born before political correctness;A classical composition full of percussion.

Momentarily, the chorus changed an octaveAnd religion became their subject

Most of the room got up for a free refill.

I remember when that Pentecostal preacher baptized me.

Stuck my whole head under water for about 30 seconds.Wanted to make sure I saw Jesus! Do you still go to that 12-pew church?Yeah, maybe religion had something to do with it.With what? The ELECTION!

The quartet was a bit out of rhythm now But quickly got back into sync.

18

The room crowded in; the present, future, and past collided.

Ill bet Hillary will run next time against Giuliani.Noooooo! Never! Shell never be president. Maybe

Vice.Well I can go along with that.I cant stand her, and her health care plan.What about Social Security and the economy?Abruptly one turned to me, Where do you think we are headed?

I put down my cup of Dark Duck Roast, and replied with words they needed to hear,

This country has gone through a lot in the past couple hundred years, and weve always managed to survive.

Weve always had a faithful Conductor.

19

Influential Distractions

With apologies to Pablo Neruda(1) and Louis Armstrong(2)

It so happens I am sick of being a manI CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE! DOWN AT THE END! H e l l o.

It so happens I am sick of being a man.And it happensI CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE! DOWN AT THE END! H e l l o.

How annoying. I like this leather chair. Where was I?

that I walk into tailorshopsThe smell of barbershops makes me break into hoarse sobs.I CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE! DOWN AT THE END! H e l l o.

Wow lady! I see trees of greenred roses too

Oooh. I love ol Satchmo

The only thing I want is to lie still like stones or wool.

Neruda was obviously depressed.

I CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE! DOWN AT THE END! H e l l o.

I didnt know the literature section went up so high.

And I think to myself what a wonderful world

20

It would be greatto go through the streets with a green knifeletting out yells until I died of the cold.

Ha! But he had a great sense of humor.

I see friends shaking hands, saying, How do you do? Theyre really saying, I love you.

with washing hanging from the line:underwear, I CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE! DOWN AT THE END! H e l l o.towels and shirts from which slowdirty tears are falling.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky

Reminds me of Gods promise.

Are also on the faces of people goin by

Ill just read it again later.

And I think to myself what a wonderful world. Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE! DOWN AT THE END! H e l l o.Just the one?

Yes, just the one.

1. Poem credit, Pablo Neruda, Walking Around

2. Song credit, Louis Armstrong, What A Wonderful World

21

Monopolize Me

After Geoff Pope

I am the Shoe, and He is the HatHe is the Banker, and I am the ChanceRoll the dice and advance my spaceMonopolize me with Your freeing grace.

He is the Iron, and I am the HorseI am the Race-car, and He is the CourseLoad my Barrow with a perfect WillMonopolize me with Your hopeful skill

I am His Treasure, and He is my ChestHe is my Broker, and I am His BlessedBuild me a room in your Spatial HotelMonopolize me and collect me from Hell.

22

Death Passes Through

I cant hear anything anymore Death is passing through

It sounds like rain: Muzzling my emotions Veiling my vision

My will to live suffers when I am not serving You

I cant feel anything anymore Death is passing through

Tangibility melts like wax: At the presence The presence of the Lord

When I am not near You Death passes through

23

Rockabye

I dread the nightsI lie awake Face down on our sheets

I find no peaceMy head is stressedFrom more lost dreams

My minda million nothingsRace tillI get up

And catch up toSlow my aching bodyThat cant sleep a wink

Fear finds meThinking too muchTrusting too little

But I wont need a pill tonightFor I hear His gentle voiceRockabye, son, rockabye

24

Remembering Dad

On my way home last night on the bus,I heard a man sneeze real loudin the seat adjacent to mine.

I glanced over, wanting to say,God bless you, but didnt when I noticedhis uncanny resemblance to my deceased father.

Bushy eyebrows, white hair, oval face, thoughtful eyes, barrel chest, blue collar shirt.

You look a lot like my father, I had to say.Funny, he replied, I used to look a lot like you.

25

FSP ST

Commuting in the crowded trainConversations erupt about everythingExcept You.

Frickin, snickerin, pickin.

Mornings sun glares off the wide windowsInto squinting eyes that cantSee You.

Freakin, sneakin, peekin.

Rustling newspapers grow louder with laughterWhen its silent, the quietHear You.

Forgiven, savin, praisin.

26

Tomatoes are a Fruit

Rhodies are almost past bloomRains spring dance holds us inside one more day

Brinkleys dog kiss wipes my angst awayAlisons tender touch revives me

Newly bought tomato plants await their instructions:Plant in full sun after threat of frost is gone

Wilting branches pretend that some dayTheyll bear much fruit

The lifeless never produce anythingUntil the day theyre pruned

27

Adams Rib

For Alison

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Adams ribRib ticklerBone of my bones andFlesh of my flesh

I prayed

For this woman For this love For this heart For someone to chase seagulls with

and God answered, Yes, and so did she.(Both, ironically, when down on bended knee)

Now, I must beLikeJesusAnd love her

As He did me.

28

The War Within

The War began long ago between two menOne jealous of the other

I actually started it...

Their parents, the First Men, started it In the Garden of Disobedience

I opened their eyes

The lie has spread to each generationGathering momentum until all became involved

Oh, get over it

Not the war raging among menThe war waged inside of man

Ignore it

Some disagree with all warSaying there is no justification whatsoever

Who needs justice?

And some believe war isTheir primary purposekilling, always killing

Stop judging

What about the mass of men bent on warKilling, always killing?

29

Let them go

Let them kill and kill, or should weDefend the innocent?

Its all relative

Defend the innocent while you canFor the war inside men is the war we must win

30

With Without

Majesty TragedyVictory VictimRelieved RelativeAbsolute Obsolete

Better BitterVertical ProdigalBlessed FleshRest Less

Forgiven ForgottenBelieve DeceiveGlowing TowingSowing Slowing

Feeding NeedingEnergetic LethargicAdopted OrphanedHome Alone

31

The Dinner Song of J. Denny Box-of-Rocks

With apologies to T.S. Eliot(3)

Let us go then, you and I,Through a Dennys menu, whole wheat, white, or ryeLike a Patty Melt etherized upon a table;Let us go, through desserts and treats. The muttering rare meats. Moo, moo the steak knife digs;Watch the people eat like pigs. A friendly waitress Of tip intent Pours the overwhelming question . . .Do not ask yet Lets eat some more and break a sweat.

In the waitress station the women sayWill he stiff or will he pay?

The Maple Syrup that clings to the pancakes,The Whipped Butter that clings to the pancakes. Expansion in the corners of my stomach. Lingered until I had a Chocolate Shake. A Hamburger with ketchup, pickles, mustard, onion, lettuce, and cheese;Afterward a Banana Split, please. And seeing that it was late at night,Onion Rings curled, I took another bite...

32

And indeed there will be time For the Whipped Butter that slides across the plate,Clinging to the Pancake.How about some Chicken Fried Steak? And there will be time To eat and eat. There will be time to grill the meat.The food that stares up at you from the plate,Appetizing for you, appetizing for me. Should I get The Club Or BLT?

In the waitress station the women say Will he stiff or will he pay?

And indeed there will be time To wonder, Do I dare? and Do I dare?Running fingers through my hair.Should I drink Decaf or Regular? (They will say: What a decision!)The guilt dripping from my chin,Do I dare Disturb the waitress? Should I take Sugar or cream, or both?

For I have eaten, eaten it all Used my knife, fork, and spoon. Ive sat in the same booth From night to morning to afternoon. But should I drink Decaf or Regular? How do I begin To ask to be forgiven?

I grow fat . . . I grow fat . . .

33

I shall wear my belt loosened.Shall I drink my coffee with my right hand? Do I dare eat a Double-Dip Sundae? I shall wear coffee-stained trousers. Should I come back Monday? I have lingered at the DennysAnd spilled the syrup,Left a big tipAnd a big burp.

3. Poem credit, T.S. Eliot, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

34

One Day

One day. One dayIll get up the nerve to say Im sorryOne day, some day. But not today.

One day. One dayIll go back to schoolOne day, some day. But not today.

One day. One dayIll go visit my familyOne day, some day. But not today.

One day. One dayIll get up early and not complainOne day, some day. But not today.

One day. One dayIll plant a gardenOne day, some day. But not today.

One day. One dayIll start writing my bookOne day, some day. But not today.

One day. One dayIll give my heart to GodOne day, some day. But n

35

Jesumaniacs One and Only Tongue Twister

I sit and thinkand thought I satAnd sat and thoughtI sit to thinkTo sit and thinkI thought and satI sat and thoughtI sit to think

36

On Being a Creative

Ill get to it after my next bite of stale cheese!

Art criesWhen passion dries.Tears unlockMediocrities door.

The striving no more

Nibbling the lie:You shouldnt even try.When hope foldsSo goes the soul.

The reaching no more

An emotional tornadoJoins the ever-growing towOf failures pull.

And puritys purposeDoesnt surfaceWhen art is culled.

37

A (Bold) Calling

A Pantoum

I considered preaching, but heard people might throw dead cat parts at me

In light of my consternation, I decided to give up and pursue other goals

But You continue to admonish, so I grudgingly pick up my cross daily

And search for a noble occupation of which I can win some lost souls

In light of my consternation, I decided to give up and pursue other goals

I was created to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do

And search for a noble occupation of which I can win some lost souls

So I guzzled Holy Water to stir up my ministerial passions behind a pew

I was created to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do

However I wasnt born a wealthy preachers kid with noble genes

So I guzzled Holy Water to stir up my ministerial passions behind a pew

This cleansing caused me to have strange dreams about my enervated means

38

However I wasnt born a wealthy preachers kid with noble genes

To that a man needs the Spirit whos no respecter of persons to become equal

This cleansing caused me to have strange dreams about my enervated means

One day I will be given a chance to minister, but youll have to read my sequel

To that a man needs the Spirit whos no respecter of persons to become equal

But You continue to admonish, so I grudgingly pick up my cross daily

One day I will be given a chance to minister, but youll have to read my sequel

I considered preaching, but heard people might throw dead cat parts at me

39

The Bleeding Nation

Isaiah 1:4-9

Today can be about whatever I want it to be.Freshly issued boots march in trained synchronicity. Hup, two, three, four. Hup, two, three, four! Left, right, left. Left, right, left!

I pour some strong coffee...

Tiger putts on babied greens manicured perfectly.Young recruits learn to salute and obey authority. Platoon attention! Dress, right, dress! Right face! Forward, harch!

Fans gasp at a bogey...

Talking heads believe their words dictate our destiny.The Boots of Liberty march in step vicariously. Heels dig in. Their thundering sound proclaims, Free-dom, free-dom...

I complain its rainy...

I take a nap and a slow drive in the country.Miles away, a soldier takes a bullet for me. He writhes, but does not cry. Blood pores from his eyes.

I check out gas prices and worry...

40

A divided nation cant hear the voice of liberty.Oceans away, the brave fight for victory. Heels dig in, scattering the enemy. They march for us sacrificially.

At home, you write what you want to write.Hear what you want to hear.Say what you want to say.Curse what you want to curse.In a Bleeding Nation youve never bled for.

41

Anonymous

HomelessFragrantVagrantsGutter huggers

PennilessPanhandlersPark bench prophetsWho never got picked

42

Blood Pores

Lord, teach us to pray more earnestly like You

But first, place us in a fervid furnace where our faith is tried

Scorch our sanctimonious spirits and search our sardonic souls

Cast us in a cauldron of calamity til our whitewashed tombs crumble

Break us Lord, until we cry out, like You, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?

Only then, will we be able to pray more earnestly like You; sweating drops of blood

43

Clenched Release

Ive held onto hoarding,And have clamped unto fear.Ive pulped up my life,Into an avaricious affair.

Ive clung onto cleaving,And stapled myself in.To a self-reliant code,Of curdled chagrin.

Ive grasped onto griping,And tightened the bolt.Ive guarded myself,With a jaw clenched revolt.

Ive held onto everything,But whats making me grow.Is the thing I adhere to,And that is letting go.

44

Brick and Brack

Brick and Brackwalked Paddywhacklacking grace and manner.After every other brick and crack,they nitpicked every manor.

Too large, too smalltoo short, too tall,The derogatory duo battered.The snooty patooties couldnt believe the gall,Oh dear, that dive is simply tattered!

When the persnickety pettifogs grew bored,their repulsive squawking only roared!When they approached a carpenterto complain about a speck of dust,He whacked them with a cross-shaped board.

45

Coffee Shop Cynic

You sit in a coffee shop too long,and notice everyonesa victim now.

Too tall, too fat, too short, too skinny

Decaffed.

We all sit inside,sheltered from the rain that wont go awaysome other day.

Some stroll by outside looking in,using The Strangerrag that it is as an umbrella.

But theyll arrive here one day,Grouped with us in thisshelter of self-denial.

46

Electric Lassos

For Cao Boi and Lady Hilda

Took me so long to fall asleep last nightWhen I finally shut my eyes at 3:16 A.M., I almost wish I hadnt.

I quickly became drenched in a dream full ofEight-foot principalities zapping bewilderedTransients with electric lassos.

These ubiquitous demons would soar right on top ofOne of the unsuspecting mortals and without hesitation

blurt out,You didnt answer the question right!

Then all of a sudden, POOF!These people disappearedLike all over the place, man.

I thought I was safe from all the dramaKind of like sitting anonymously in the audience atA popular Shakespeare play.

But I wasnt secure at allJust then one of the old Scratches startled me:You filled one of these out yet?

47

I looked down and saw in his puckered pale fingers twoCredit Card applications, one labeled, Brooklyn,And the other entitled, Yankees.

No, I answered sharply, confident the creep wasnt gonna take me.

Well, you have to make a choice right now or else you wont wake up!

Screamed the anxious goblin.

Brooklynthe Dodgers, I answered emphatically.Just then the Shade muttered, has Faith, and

shriveled up,Vanishing like plastic burning in a campfire.

48

The Target on our Back

Ready.AimFIRE!!!

Do ya think we got im?

Shor had a big nuf target on is back.

Yea, divorced parents, depression, suicidal thoughts.

We bagged im, awright.

Here comes anudder!

Its a field day, mate!

Twang

Got im?

Shor did. Dope heads are no effort.

Es ours fer sure.

Lets get this one. She looks like easy prey.

Yeah, looks like a mommas girl, but you know she aint.

Heh, heh, heh.

Thirp

Twoing

49

It bounced off.

Try er agin!

Naw, well never claim her.

Saw a cross around her neck.

I hate those kind.

Wait, here comes another.

Doubtin Thomas, e is.

FIRE!!!

50

Till

For a few moments I remembered what it was like to be a kid again:

Khaki pant legs rolled up, wading knee-deep in the lapping water till my toes turn withered white

Searching for a perfectly flat and water-worn stone to skip till I get it right

Playing teeter-totter on a propped up drift log till I laugh myself off

Burying my feet in sinking sand till I almost cant get out

I hadnt let my 40+ year-old body go like this for a long time

Preoccupation with career, financesha, the culture warand

Cautious world-worrying prevent me from makingMy contribution to mankind:A purposed soul remains impotent till it casts its bread

upon the water

Freedom is not found till you make the decision to let go of all you have

Till you become like a child again

51

Frames

(Leaving Seattle on the Other Side of the Tracks)

Rock chips. Rock chips.Train car.Rock chips. Pup tent.Clickity Clack. Clickity clack.

Rock chips. Train car.Homeless. Cardboard.Train car.Tarp roof. Clickity Clack. Clickity clack.

Warehouse.Starbucks. Earthwise.Sleeping. Homeless.Cardboard. Clickity Clack. Clickity clack.

Blue tarp. Blankets.Homeless. Homeless.Blankets. Train car.Clickity Clack. Clickity clack.

52

Going, Going, Gone?

Cars pass byOne, two, threeFour, five, six,One after another.

People walk pastOne, two, threeOne, one, twoHello, hi. Thanks, bye.

Another song playsAnd claimsTo entertainThen fades.

An oatmeal raisin cookieDrops, rolls,Cuts, bakes, andCrumbles with no trace.

There is One thing thatNever fades,Never gives wayAlways stays.

Wait, here He comesHere He comes!Woo! Dont letHim get away.

Dont let Him get away.

53

Haiku

1pray in the spiritleave the world to what it isnot mine and not yours

2Transform me beyondHuman limits, thoughts, and doubtSo Purpose wins out

3We have rights to sayWhatever we want to sayNeer in public pray

54

Hungry Psalm

The breath of revolution,Marvelous morning star.The zephyr fire of Zion,Formless formed it all.

Adam on a hillside,Eve at the ball. You at the deli,Me on a call.

Parents at the seaside,Rubbing wrinkled wrists.Kids at a hockey game,Feeding twisted lips.

Goodbye Sunday dinner, Hello jaded jeans. Maxed-out credit cards,Digest rabid spleens.

The leftovers are almost eaten, The Chef has turned out the lights.Hoping for the lukewarm,To feast on the Bread of Life.

55

Hunter Has a Man Trap

Gonna catch youEntrap you in his contraptionGet a footholdNever let you go

Better watch outRound the cornerHes hungry for somma yourSoul food

Growlin for some never-ending howlinDown underBetter get Saved soonHes hunting you

56

Phony Fast

564! Number 564! Next!Whatll ya have?

Yes, the Asian Chicken Salad.

Number 3!Anything else?

Cup of ice water, please.

$5.45.

57

I Am Your Pizza

I am your pizza Youre my what? Im whatever you want me to be Youre scaring me Deep dish, thin crust, original You always put me first! Pepperoni, Veggie, or Gluten-freePlenty of choices Delivery, Pick-Up, Dine In Youre making me happyYoure making me happy Give me more time Of course, I am your pizzaIm always on time

58

It Never Rains in Oz

Welcome to the land of confusion:

Drippy drop, drop drippyClippity clop, clop clippityWishy wash, wash wishy.

Hide the bumbershoots and let theRain, rain dont go away.

Rain all over you till it meltsYour fried up brain past insanity.

Mushy moss, mush mossyGrowly growl, grow growlyDancing dog, dog doggy.

Beat that grunge past grungy;Were a little troubled here you see.

But in the Land of Oz,The Maker still graces out second chances to Three-legged giraffes, tattooed chihuahuas, andOut-of-tune monkeys.

59

The Green Mustache

Her lips are cherry red,her teeth never pallid.She speaks with sophisticationand wears the hippest fashion.

Fingers adorned with fancy bling,her hair styled like a spiral spring,shes the master of negotiation; her natter captures everyones attention.

She boldly ventures out each night,like a stray cat looking for a fresh fight.But underneath her celluloid cache,Is a guilt-ridden green mustache

only God can shave off.

60

Lines of Life

Some critics see Him as dead.Know Himfold Him, touch Him, feel Him.

Some experts say Hes a myth.Search Himhold Him, taste Him, peel Him.

Artist lines pump blood through inked veins.Muscles flex as bones bend in seamless color blends.

The Sinew of life convinces us to reflect:What was the works motivation or inspiration?

Ask the one who created the palette,Hear Himdraw Him, sketch Him, paint Him.

Imagine Him alive.

61

The Path to Mediocrity

Does anyone write personal letters anymore?

I went crackersbecause everyone went crackers.

Welcome! Youve got mail!Boorish sound to mediocre men.Fwd: fwd: fwd: fwd: re: check this out!Junk mail. Click. Delete.

I gotta tatbecause everyone gotta tat.

I fold my underwear into six-inch squaresGrow nails longer than my hair.(My furry friend helped me with that weird rhymeas I fed him cheese from under the table time to time).

I drank the Kook-Aidbecause everyone drank the Kook-Aid.

Me an my homie we waswalkin down da streetAint got no timeNo shoes on our feetDont have a care, dont have a planGet our dinner from a garbage can.

Ah those silly thoughtsSnuff me not,So I digress.

I should have prayed more,and weighed and worried lessin a world gone Godless.

62

Nearing the End

Shes been colding me outSpirit of liberalism done tore out my spineMade me a plank-eyed woman man.

Transformed see-saw salt in the woundSunday servants into armchair quarterbacksWho fish for chips and cod rather than men for God.

Hallowed kirks built to worship theAlmighty are now ego-driven platformsTithing roosts for designer jeans, meth, and phat SUVs.

I stick around, hoping that one dayA hungry carpenter with a sawed-off forefinger will

awaken us,Overturning the CD and book tables, declaring,

This aint the Shopping Mall, folks!But thats been done, and what hasnt changed someHas come full circlenearing the end.

63

Pharaoh Chairs

In my dimly-lit hovel of life choicesMy eyes open as I discover all the Pharaoh Chairs I have

sat on have toppled overNot by wind or weather, but scattered about from

tousled heaps of rebellion

The Chair of Hope: Doped by misinformationThe Chair of Joy: Cloyed by lethargyThe Chair of Integrity: Gritty by greediness

I could tell these were my chairs:Stains and chains, ripped and tipped over; smashed and

trashed; thrashedFrom years of procrastination, months of prayer-less

days, hours of misled minutes

The Chair of Righteousness: Blighted by nearsightedness

The Chair of Courage: Scourged by discouragersThe Chair of Praise: Blazed by malaise

I found myself hardened by all these toppled chairsUntil I saw some left upright

The Chair of Grace: The One that stands despite my pride

The Chair of Mercy: The One that remains firm when I am weak

The Chair of Forgiveness: The One that frees when I truly seek

64

Pip Natch

Youve probably never heard of him

The Pip Natch randoms itself through restless nightsAnd worried mornings singing its sting songLooking for whom it may devour

It

d a r t s d r o p sandrolls

Landing on the sleeping not near You

The little fantasy breeds tromos dreams,And if it squirrels itself in you without a faith-fightYoull never apprehend your intended destiny.

65

quik cmunity

wlk run ride weelbik kar bus tran plne rockt

passpasspass it

gasgasgas it

quik quik quik

smok signltelphon fax celphon ithis ithatcybr dgitl earpece

fire gas elctrictyraw cook nuke puke raw

fastr fster fstrfarthr fther fthr

wev gotn fstrhav we gotn frthr?

66

Rest Quietly

Rest quietly soul selfFear flees swiftly when life sees end

Hear human deaths rebuke:Perishable clothed with the imperishable

Mortal with the immortalIt creeps through like silent giant ants

Heart beats scream dry heavesDo not take me yet!

But His accomplished word Returns reassuringly:

Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

Dust of earth orSpirit of heaven

There are two men, butOne wont taste anything

Rest confidently soul selfI am with you eternally

67

Will I When I Did I?

Will I have risked enough toLive all I canBefore you lay me down to rest?

When I breathe my last breathWill you waterWhat Ive planted? Mow the grass?

Lets not worry about that.

When I perish, Ill leave thingsAnd dreams behind,But will I soon be forgotten?

Will I consume too muchOf myself beforeThat last day calls me to sleep?

Will my final questions be

Did I love enoughGive enoughCare to share Your Son enough?

Will I?When IDid I?

68

The Journey

Its a long way to the end of the pier.Waves pass and crash againstThe newly-borne shore.

Bare feet feel their way ontoThe worn floor;Multitudes dwelling there before.

Farther out the journey quickensFamiliarity fades andA Decision begs to be made.

Soon, nervous pillars creak.The choice must be clear. The end of the pier draws near.

69

Denouement

Jesumaniac waved goodbye to the crowd and proceeded to his trailer parked behind the circus tent to ready for his next act about to start in just a few short minutes. Just outside the tent and the din of the crowd, he spots a young man sitting alone sobbing uncontrollably. Jesumaniac, the man of men that he is, stops and then approaches the shaken young lad to encourage him.

Whats up? asks Jesumaniac bending down to so he can connect and make eye contact.

What do you want with me? the distraught youngster asked rhetorically. I hate my life and have no friends.

Jesumaniac was the type of guy who didnt ignore a person in distress, and sat down to counsel him. Whats your name? Jesumaniac asked.

Joeuh, Joseph, he responded wiping his tears.

Well Joseph, I once was in your shoes, Jesumaniac consoled. Had no friends, no money, and no hope.

What did you do, I mean, what changed?

Kid, when you stop drowning in your sorrows, failures, and regrets, and, if I maygive faith a trymaybe youll see life in a different light.

How dare you judge me! the kid ripped into Jesumaniac like an indignant cat hissing at a friendly dog.

Not judging, just being honest with you, Jesumaniac retorted. With that, Jesumaniac headed back into the tent to a new set of roaring fans, and enraged enemies to put his life on the line and soar sacrificially one more time. Behind him, the young man sat thinking to himself: Maybe I should give faith a try.