[stylist] Another poem (tangentially associated with witch burning)

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Shawn,

This touches such a deep place, it's difficult to comment on. You
capture hundreds of years of history, religion and emotion in one short
poem. The physical description isn't great, yet reading this, my mind is
alive with images. And I think this is the kind of poem that will evoke
an emotional response dependent on a readers background and individual
emotion. It's complex and beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Thursday, June 06, 2013 7:43 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List (stylist at nfbnet.org)'
Subject: [stylist] Another poem (tangentially associated with witch
burning)


OK, here is my poem for the witch burning exercise (or is it an
exorcise) hard to tell. Shawn Jacobson Mathematical Statistician Phone#
(202)-475-8759 Fax# (202)-485-0275

Church Aflame
Wondrous father God
who also is my mother
we need to be saved.
Once we walked with your presence
and felt your spirit in awesome communion.
Yet now we seem to see you small, diminished
little larger than Zeus of Thor
a petty God of thundering tantrums.
Yet I dare not seek the magic or your majesty
for we have witches to burn.
The flames ward off the terror of your glory
the disturbing visions me misunderstand
keeping the wonder of the lord at this safe distance.
Righteous father God
who also is our mother
saves us from our lies.
In days gone by we received from thee the law
of how to live with our neighbors
and the stranger in our midst.
Love others as you would be loved;
judge not beyond the willingness to be judged.
Yet now the received law seems tinny, insufficient.
God hates abortion; God hates fags.
When did sexual purity become sexual pride?
Why can we not see the sin that borrows in our churches
as rats that seek a home?
Yet I dare not deeply question these authorities
for we have heretics to burn.
The flames warm us with contentment
with received authority and complacency.
We need not search our souls.
Awesome father God
who also is our mother
save us from our pride.
In days of old you cleansed your temple
driving forth filth and greed.
And today we call upon you to judge
the different, the strange, and the alien among us.
We walk in blissful disregard of your judgments
against pride and bigotry, and the idolatry
that calls us to worship Gods of easy virtue.
Yet I dare not proclaim your judgment,
for we have prophets to burn.
And in the fire's light from this pyre bright
we walk in the wisdom of those who proclaim
their authority and their righteousness.
And take our ease.
Holy Father God
who also is our mother
save us from our flames.



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