BIG TOE

BIG TOE



MY BIG TOE IS BROKE
IT’S NOT A JOKE
IT’S BROKE

I DON’T MEAN TO BE ARCH
OR CALLOUS OR CORNY
BUT IT HURTS
AND IT’S BROKE
AND I FEEL KIND OF MOURNY

I HOPE IT WILL HEEL
BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO FEEL
LIKE I’LL ALWAYS WALK THIS WAY

I DON’T WANT TO RANKLE
MY ANKLE
BY WALKING FUNNY

I CAN’T NAIL IT DOWN
WHEN I BANGED MY BIG TOE

I SAID TO THE DOCTOR I FEEL FUNNY
HE SAID JOIN THE CIRCUS
A TOE LIKE THAT YOU’D MAKE MILLIONS

EIGHT YEARS OF COLLEGE
AND THAT’S THE BEST HE CAN DO
FOR SUCH A DIAGNOSIS
I HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL

MY NOSE IS RUNNING
MY FEET ARE SMELLING
ON TOP OF ALL THAT
MY TOE HURTS
AND EVERYONE THINKS IT FUNNY


FRANK A VOLLMER

BELIEF

BELIEF


BACK WHEN THE WORLD WAS SMALLER

ISRAEL WAS THOUGHT
TO BE A GREAT NATION
A FAVORITE OF GOD

IT WAS EASY TO SAY
THOSE WHO DIDN’T BELIEVE
WERE CONDEMNED

WHEN HE WAS WRESTLING WITH SCRIBES
WITH PHARISEES
WITH SADDUCEES

WHO WOULDN’T BELIEVE
FOR MANY REASONS

AMONG WHICH WAS LOSS OF POWER

BUT SOME IN CONSCIENCE
DID NOT BELIEVE
WERE THEY CONDEMNED
I THINK NOT

A LOVING GOD
RESPECTS A MAN’S CONSCIENCE
WHEN HE RESPONDS
TO THE WORD OF GOD
WRITTEN IN HIS HEART

NO MATTER WHAT NAME HE GIVES GOD

A RELIGION
THAT DEPENDS ON LITERACY
WHEN SO MUCH OF THE WORLD IS ILLITERATE
IS A CONTRADICTION





A RELIGION THAT FAILS
TO LIVE UP TO ITS OWN PRINCIPALS
IS A CONTRADICTION

A RELIGION THAT KILLS
TO PROMOTE ITS CAUSE
IS A CONTRADICTION

MEN HAVE SOUGHT LIGHT
AND ENLIGHTENMENT
IN MANY FORMS

THEY HAVE SOUGHT GOOD
AND THE BETTERMENT
OF THEIR SOCIETY

CAN A GOD THAT SAYS
I WILL OFFER MY SON
AS A RANSOM
BECAUSE I LOVE THE WORLD

CAN SUCH A GOD CONDEMN

WHEN THERE IS NO FAULT TO BE FOUND
EXCEPT IGNORANCE

FRANK A VOLLMER

BEATITUDES FOR THE OLD

BEATITUDES FOR THE OLD

BLESSED THEY WHO KNOW MY WALK'S UNSTEADY
AND MY HANDS SHAKE
BLESSED THEY WHO SPEAK A LITTLE LOUDER
BLESSED THEY WHO KNOW THE WORLD IS MISTY
IN MY SIGHT AND IN MY MIND
BLESSED THEY WHO DO NOT GRUMBLE WHEN I SPILL THE SALT
BLESSED THEY WHO SMILE AT ME AND STOP TO TALK
AND LISTEN TO MY STORIES THREE TIMES TOLD
BLESSED ARE THE LISTENERS TO THE TALES OF MY YOUTH
WHO LOVE ME AND TREAT ME WITH RESPECT
BLESSED THEY WHO GIVE ME WARMTH AS COLD CREEPS IN
BLESSED THEY WHO MAKE GOD SEEM MORE FRIENDLY
AND WHEN ETERNITY WRAPS ITSELF ABOUT ME
I SHALL REMEMBER THEM TO GOD



from the french by arbelet

BARBARA AND PRISCILLA

BARBARA AND PRISCILLA


BARBARA MEANS FOREIGN OR EXOTIC
PRISCILLA MEANS OLD
AS IN A PRAYER FOR LONG LIFE
BOTH MEAN KIND AND CARING

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

IF YOU LISTEN CLOSELY
YOU CAN HEAR THE SLAP
OF SANDALED FEET
THE SWISH OF TOGA
AND A VOICE SAYING
WELL DONE


FRANK A VOLLMER

AT THE END

AT THE END
WE PRAYED FOR DEATH
WE WATCHED HIM LABOR
MOST OF THE DAY
EVENING
AND EARLY MORNING
HE’D TALK OUTLOUD
WORDS
DISJOINTED SENTENCES
AS IF HE WAS SETTLING
HIS AFFAIRS
THEN THE ELDEST DAUGHTER SAID
IT’S OK TO GO
YOUR WIFE IS SAFE
AND THE FAMILY IS HERE
THEN HE RESTED
WAS AT PEACE
THEN HE DIED

MAY YOUR FAMILY DIE
IN THE NATURAL ORDER
A BIT IF JEWISH WISDOM

I FEEL LIKE A SHEPHERD
THAT LOST A SHEEP
TRULY LOST
AND FEEL EMPTY
BY THE LOSS

I KNOW THAT SOME OF MY EMOTIONS
ARE UNREAL
AND MANUFACTURD

BUT THEY WALK WITH ME
A SHADOW COMPANION

TO PRAY FOR DEATH
NO MATTER
HOW DESIREABLE
STILL LEAVES A PARENT
SEEKING
LIFE
DEATH
PEACE

FRANK A VOLLMER

ARIRANG

ARIRANG

ARIRANG
ARIRANG

A MOUNTAIN
IN THE MIST

ARIRANG
ARIRANG

MY LOVER FADING SLOWLY
IN THE MIST

THE MIST IS LIFTING
HE IS GONE

MAY HIS FEET HURT
BEFORE HE GOES A MILE

ARIRANG
ARIRANG

MAY EVERY BONE IN HIS FEET HURT
AS MY HEART HURTS

THE PAINS IN MY HEART
ARE AS NUMEROUS
AS THE STARS

WHAT DID WE ARGUE OVER
I DO NOT KNOW
SOME LOVER’S FANTASY
SOME WOUNDED PRIDE

ARIRANG
ARIRANG

I WANT HIM BACK
HIS FEET BOTHERED
BY SOME PEBBLE IN HIS SHOE
QUICKLY REMOVED

BUT WAIT
IN STARLIGHT
DO I SEE
MY LOVER COMING BACK
TO ME
NOT HOBBLING
BUT ON NIMBLE FEET

FRANK A VOLLMER

ANNIVERSARY

ANNIVERSARY

THE THOUGHT OF ANNIVERSARY
IS THE RECALLING
OF SOMETHING
THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN

BUT I CAN SAY
THAT SINCE I FIRST LOVED YOU
FIRST FROM AFAR
THEN UP CLOSE
TILL FINALLY AS ONE

MY LOVE FOR YOU
HAS NEVER NEEDED REMINDING

ANNIVERSARIES ARE NUMBERS
AND HAVE ENDINGS

MY LOVE IS FOREVER
AND WILL NEVER END

THERE IS NO REMEMBERING SOMETHING
THAT HAS NEVER BEEN FORGOTTEN

FRANK A VOLLMER

AN EASTER SONG

AN EASTER SONG



THERE WAS THE SOUND OF SOMEONE SOFTLY SINGING
IT SPOKE OF CHILDREN’S SILVER LAUGHTER
THE BELL TONES OF A RUNNING BROOK
OF CROCUS BUDS AND SPRINGTIME GREEN
OF SUN AND WARMTH AND YOUNG LOVE'S FIRE
IT SPOKE OF PEACE
AS SHE HURRIED TO THE TOMB
WONDERING WHO WOULD ROLL THE STONE AWAY

WONDERING AND WORRIED
YET SOMEHOW CONSOLED BY THE SOUND
UNTIL THERE WAS THE TOMB AND THE STONE ROLLED AWAY
AND A YOUNG MAN SITTING
AND SWINGING HIS LEGS

SINGING
SING MY SOUL HAPPY BE
THE LORD HAS SET HIS PEOPLE FREE

SHE COULD NOT COMPREHEND AT FIRST
THE HAPPY SINGING MAN

BUT SLOWLY
LIKE A CLOUD GIVING BIRTH TO THE SUN
SHE UNDERSTOOD

A FLOCK OF STARLINGS IN A NEARBY TREE
CHATTERED NOISILY
SWALLOWS TURNED CRAZY CARTWHEELS IN THE SKY
FISH PLAYED LEAPFROG IN THE LAKE
HAPPY TEARS ROLLED DOWN THE WOMAN'S FACE

THERE WAS THE SOUND OF SOMEONE SOFTLY SINGING
Frank A. Vollmer

AL

AL


STAY WITH ME LORD
FOR THE DAY IS ENDING
AND THE NIGHT IS COMING NIGH

LIKE A TIDE THAT WILL NOT EBB
FILLING UP ALL THE LOW PLACES OF MY LIFE
SO THAT ALL I SEE
ARE THE MOUNTAIN TOPS OF THOSE
WHO LOVE ME

WHAT A GIFT TO BE LOVED
ESPECIALLY IN THIS LONELY HOUR
WHAT A GIFT TO BE LOVED

I WOULD LIKE TO GO OUT SINGING
BUT I KEEP FORGETTING THE WORDS

STAY WITH ME LORD
I HAVE MANY REGRETS
BUT LEAVING HER WHOM I DEEPLY LOVE
WHAT IS THE ANSWER TO THAT

FAREWELL TO DREAMS
TO HOPES
BUT NOT TO LOVE

IT WILL BE IN THE GATHERING DARKNESS
A BEACON TO SHOW ME HOME
HER LOVE
A LANTERN TO MY FEET
A FAREWELL GENEROUSLY GIVEN

THERE IS AT THE END RESIGNATION
AND REGRET
AND BELIEF IN YOUR LOVE
UPON WHICH MY LOVE FOR HER IS BASED
WHICH GIVES US BOTH OUR JOY
AND SADNESS IN THIS HOUR

THERE IS IN THAT BELIEF
THE THOUGHT
THAT WHEN I GO
THAT I SHALL LEAVE BEHIND

MY HEART
IN HER HEART
SINGING MY LOVE FOR HER
FOREVER


FRANK A VOLLMER

ADVENT SONG

ADVENT SONG

COME LEVELER OF MOUNTAINS COME
COME STRAIGHTENER OF CROOKED WAYS
COME LION TAMER LAMB CARRIER COME
COME RISING SUN TO WARM OUR DAYS

COME CONVERTER OF WEAPONS TO FARMWARE
COME BRINGER OF THE WINE AND THE WHEAT
COME FLOURISHING TREE OF JESSE
COME MAKE YOUR CREATION COMPLETE

COME GIVE A SIGN OH SILENT GOD
COME GIVE A SIGN WE TEMPT YOU STILL
SO SILENT GOD WE THOUGHT YOU DEAD
COME MARY'S CHILD WE LOVE YOU STILL

COME SILENT GOD WITH THUNDER VOICE
EARTH'S VALLEYS AND THE DESERT FILL
SPEAK GOD FOR IN YOUR SILENCE LONG
WE FEEL THAT WE ARE ORPHANS STILL

COME MARY'S CHILD LONG COMING COME
COME SMASHER OF THE YOKE AND ROD
COME CHILD AND LEAD US IN THE DANCE
COME FRIEND AND SPEAK...BE NOT SILENT GOD

COME LORD JESUS COME AGAIN
BRING THE WHEAT AND GENTLE RAIN
COME AGAIN


FRANK A VOLLMER

ADVENT

ADVENT


IN THE TIME OF THE SHORTENING OF THE SUN
WHEN LIFE SEEMS TO FLEE FROM THE EARTH
WHEN THE IMPERMANENCE OF OUR LIVES
IS BROUGHT HOME TO US

WHEN WINTER WINDS TAKE OUR BODY HEAT
WHEN WINTER CALLS US TO SLEEP,
DREAMS UNFULFILLED

IN THIS TIME OF COMING DARKNESS
WE STRIKE A MATCH AND SING
O COME EMMANUEL,
COME DAY STAR, COME
COME GIVE US PROMISE
OF RETURNING SUN
OF RIVERS UNFROZEN
OF SPRING ONCE MORE
OF DREAMS TO BE


O COME,
AND IN THIS WINTER THAT WE FACE
LIVE WITH US AS COMPANY



FRANK A VOLLMER

ACT OF CONTRITION

ACT OF CONTRITION - CHURCH CLOSED IN POOR NEIGHBORHOOD

FATHER FORGIVE US FOR BEING POOR
FOR BEING GHETTO TRAPPED BY BIRTH OR RACE OR AGE
OR FEAR OF COMPETITION
FOR WHICH WE ARE ILL PREPARED
FORGIVE US FOR OUR ANGER
FOR LASHING OUT AT INNUMERABLE GNATS OF IRRITATION
THE ACID OF OUR DAILY LIVES
FORGIVE US FOR BELIEVING YOUR WORDS
THAT THE POOR WOULD HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM
FORGIVE US FOR NOT MAKING MONEY
LIKE OTHER MISSIONS IN AFRICA INDIA LATIN AMERICA DO
FOR PENANCE TAKE OUR CHURCH
AND WITH THE GAIN
ERECT A MONUMENT TO PRIDE
IN A MORE PROFITABLE PLACE
FATHER FORGIVE US FOR BEING POOR

ACORNS

ACORNS

IN THE BEGINNING
THERE HAD BEEN MANY SEEDS
STREWN FROM THE TREE BY AUTUMN WIND
OR SQUIRREL RAID
AND EACH ONE EQUALLY HAD LAIN UPON THE GROUND
THRU WINTER SNOW AND APRIL RAIN
BUT ONLY ONE STRUCK ROOT AND GREW
ONE
WHO'D PUT ITS BACK AGAINST A ROCK
AND STOOD ITS GROUND
AND GREW
BUT OF THE OTHERS NONE WAS WASTED
SOME WERE FOOD DIRECTLY EATEN
OTHERS GAVE THEIR RICHNESS TO THE SOIL
IN SLOW DECAY
BUT ONLY ONE CARRIED ON THE MESSAGE
ONLY ONE TOOK THE DARE
AND GREW

FRANK A VOLLMER

ABSALOM DAVID'S SON

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
PIERCED BY SOLDIERS SPEARS
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

Frank A. Vollmer

ABERFAN

ABERFAN

FOR MARGARET WHO REMEMBERED


WHEN GROWNUPS DIE

IT'S NOT SO BAD

ONE THINKS OF FLOWERS

READY TO BE PICKED

BUT CHILDREN

CHILDREN ARE ANOTHER THING

TO SEE THEIR TOMBSTONES

INA ROW

ON COMMON GRAVE

ALL STRUCK DOWN

SAME HOUR AND SAME PLACE

IN ABERFAN

SOME SO TOTALLY GONE

THERE IS NO ONE LEFT TO GRIEVE

BUT THE DISMAL AUTUMN RAIN

PALLING PROM OCTOBER SKY

ON THE LIFELESS HEAPS OP SLAG

HOW QUICKLY HAS THE GRASS CLAIMED THE GRAVE

AND AUTUMN LEAVES COME CLINGING TO THE STONES

UNTIL THE WIND BLOWS THEM AWAY

AS IF THEY WANTED TO KISS THE CHILD IN PASSING

HOW MANY POEMS UNBEGUN ARE BURIED HERE

HOW MUCH LAUGHTER, TEARS AND JOY

ROW MUCH SORROW IS ENTOMBED


THE CHILDREN COMING HOME FROM SCHOOL

SPLASHING THROUGH EACH PUDDLE FOUND

THE PARENTS BUNDLED AGAINST THE STORM

MAKE QUICK THE TRIP FROM WORK TO HOME

AND NO ONE REALLY SEEMS TO CARE

EXCEPT THE DISMAL AUTUMN RAIN

FALLING FROM OCTOBER SKY

ON THE LIFELESS HEAPS OF SLAG

FRANK A VOLLMER

ABERFAN
OCTOBER 1966
144 DEAD
SLAG HEAP FELL ON VILLAGE
HITTING SCHOOL AND HOMES

A STORY...A RHAPSODY

A STORY

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY
LET ME SPIN A RHAPSODY
OF DISPARATE ELEMENTS
SOME TRUE
SOME FABLE
A STORY

TO ONE MAN
WHO WANTED TO FOLLOW HIM
HE SAID
I HAVE NO WHERE TO EVEN LAY MY HEAD

TO ANOTHER
WHO WANTED TO BURY HIS FATHER
HE SAID
LET THE DEAD
BURY THE DEAD

TO ANOTHER
WHO WANTED TO SAY GOODBYE TO HIS FATHER
HE SAID
ONE WHO FOLLOWS ME
NEVER LOOKS BACK

HARSH WORDS
I WONDER WHY

LET ME NOW SPIN A TALE

WHEN JOSEPH DIED
JESUS COULD NOT COME TO THE FUNERAL
BECAUSE HE WAS JUDGED
BY HIS FAMILY
TO BE A MEMZER
A BASTARD
AND BASTARDS
WERE NOT ALLOWED
TO ATTEND
FUNERALS

HE WAS CALLED MARY’S SON
NOT JOSEPH’S


IN HIS SACRIFICE FOR US
HE STRIPED HIMSELF POOR
LOWLY BIRTH
QUESTIONABLE PARENTAGE
SHUNNED BY HIS LARGER FAMILY
TOLERATED
BECAUSE
MARY WAS HIS MOTHER

HE COULDN’T IDENTIFY
WITH PEOPLE
AND FAMILY TIES
HE’D GIVEN UP HIS OWN

HE’D EVEN TRIED TO PUT DISTANCE
BETWEEN HIM AND HIS MOTHER
AND BROTHERS
SAYING
WHOEVER FOLLOWS ME IS MOTHER
AND BROTHER

BUT HIS MOTHER WOULDN’T GO AWAY
AND WAS FAITHFUL
TO THE END
WHEN HE TRIED ONCE AGAIN
UNSUCCESSFULLY
TO GIVE HER AWAY

MOTHER BEHOLD YOUR SON
SON BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER

HANGING ON THE CROSS
BEREFT OF ALL HE HELD DEAR
CRYING TO THE FATHER
OUT OF LONELINESS
WHY HAVE YOU LEFT ME

IN LIGHT OF ALL HE HAD GIVEN AWAY
HE COULDN’T UNDERSTAND
HOLDING BACK


FRANK A VOLLMER

A SERMON AT PENTECOST

A SERMON AT PENTECOST

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
WHOSE BIRTHDAY YOU MIGHT ASK
IT’S ALL OF OURS
BECAUSE PENTECOST IS THE DAY
THE CHURCH BEGAN

ON THE DAY THE CHURCH BEGAN
THE APOSTLES WERE GATHERED
IN THE UPPER ROOM
TO CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF SHABUOT

IT WAS A HARVEST FESTIVAL
IT WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF OUR THANKSGIVING DAY

THEY FELT THEY HAD LITTLE TO CELEBRATE
JESUS HAD GONE HOME
LEAVING THEM FEELING LIKE ORPHANS

BUT THEY WERE LOYAL JEWS
THEY OBSERVED THE LAW
THE LAW SAID
THANK GOD GOOD TIMES AND BAD

ESPECIALLY ON THIS DAY
FIFTY DAYS AFTER PASSOVER
FOR IT COMMEMORATED
THE FIRST HARVEST
THEY HAD AS FREE MEN

BUT PETER WAS PUZZLED
AS HE OFTEN WAS
AS THE OTHERS OFTEN WERE
FOR JESUS HAD SAID TO THEM BEFORE HE LEFT
JESUS HAD SAID
WHILE HE WAS EATING WITH THEM
I GIVE YOU THIS COMMAND
THAT YOU DO NOT LEAVE JERUSALEM
BUT WAIT FOR THE GIFT
MY FATHER PROMISED
ABOUT WHICH
YOU HAVE HEARD ME SPEAK

JOHN BAPTIZED
YOU WITH WATER
BUT IN A FEW DAYS YOU WILL BE
BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT


AND PETER THOUGHT
I AM WELL NAMED ROCK
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE MEANT
AFTER THREE YEARS AND HIS LEAVING
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE MEANT

AND SO THOUGHT ALL THE OTHER APOSTLES
GATHERED TOGETHER
IN THE UPPER ROOM
TO GIVE THANKS FOR THE HARVEST
WHICH WAS YET TO COME

WE ARE TWENTIETH CENTURY CHRISTIANS
AND YET WE ARE OFTEN NO MORE AWARE OF GOD’S PLAN
THAN THE APOSTLES WERE AT THIS TIME

LET US BEGIN OUR SEARCH
FOR GOD’S PLAN
AS WE BEGIN ALL THINGS
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
AND THE SON
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

LET US BEGIN
AS WE BEGIN ALL THING
IN THE NAME OF GOD THE FATHER
THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
WHO MADE TIME BEGIN
LET US LOOK AT GOD THE FATHER

WHEN I WANTED TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE
I STUDIED
PASSED A TEST
AND WAS GIVEN MY DRIVERS LICENSE

WHEN I WANTED TO BECOME AN ENGINEER
I STUDIED,
PASSED TESTS
AND WAS GIVEN MY DEGREE

WHEN I BECAME A PARENT
THE NURSE HANDED ME A BABY
AND SAID
HERE’S YOUR CHILD
NO OWNERS MANUAL
NO WEB SITE
NOTHING
ONLY HERE’S YOUR CHILD

IN JEWISH TRADITION
THE BOOK OF GENESIS
IS OFTEN READ
WITH THE THOUGHT
THAT GOD IS A NEW PARENT
LEARNING HOW TO HANDLE A CHILD

LET’S LOOK AT THE STORY OF GENESIS
IN THAT LIGHT

GOD MAKES ADAM
BUT ADAM IS MADE WITH A DESIGN FLAW
WHERE ALL THE OTHER ACTS OF GOD’S CREATION
LOVE GOD INSTINCTIVELY
ADAM
GOD THINKS
I SHALL MAKE DIFFERENT

THIS CREATURE
THE PEAK OF MY CREATION
IS TO HAVE THE ABILITY
TO CHOOSE
WHETHER TO LOVE ME
OR NOT
BECAUSE I WANT TO HAVE
FROM HIM
THE LOVE OF A FREE PERSON
NOT THE SERVILE FEAR OF A SLAVE
OR THE UNTHINKING LOVE OF AN ANIMAL

GOD PUTS ADAM
IN THE BEAUTIFUL GARDEN
CALLED PARADISE
AND SAYS TO HIM
EAT ANYTHING YOU WANT
EXCEPT FOR THE FRUIT OF THAT TREE
IF YOU EAT THE FRUIT OF THAT TREE
SURELY YOU WILL DIE

WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED
ADAM ATE OF THAT TREE
INSTEAD OF AN INSTANT DEATH
HE LIVED 970 YEARS
SO MUCH FOR PARENTAL THREATENING

THEN GOD’S CHILDREN
CONTINUED TO DISOBEY GOD
SO HE SENT A FLOOD
TO PUNISH THEM ALL
EXCEPT FOR NOAH

WHEN THE FLOOD WAS OVER
GOD THOUGHT
THAT MAYBE
HE HADN’T MADE THE RIGHT DECISION
SO HE PUT A RAINBOW IN THE SKY
A WARRIOR’S BOW AIMED AT HEAVEN
TO REMIND HIM NEVER TO DO THAT AGAIN

BUT MAN KEPT DISOBEYING

HE TRIED TO BUILD A TOWER TO THE SKY
THINKING
IF I REACHED THE SKY
I WILL BE LIKE GOD
AND NEVER HAVE TO LISTEN TO HIM AGAIN

I WILL BE FREE OF GOD

SO GOD CONFUSED THEM
SO THAT EACH PERSON
SPOKE A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE

INSTEAD OF UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER
THEY BABBLED
THEY COULD NOT FINISH THE TOWER
BUT INSTEAD THEY SCATTERED
OVER THE FACE OF THE EARTH
CARRYING THEIR NEW LANGUAGES WITH THEM

THEN GOD THOUGHT
MY SCOPE IS TOO LARGE
LET ME START OVER AGAIN
WITH ONE PERSON

SO HE PICKS ABRAHAM
AND SAYS OBEY ME
AND YOUR CHILDREN
WILL BE AS NUMEROUS
AS THE SANDS ON THE BEACH

AND AS A SIGN OF MY POWER
I SAY TO YOU 97 YEAR OLD MAN
THAT YOUR WIFE SARAH
BARREN IN HER OLD AGE
WILL HAVE A CHILD

HEARING THIS
ABRAHAM FELL ON THE FLOOR LAUGHING
AND SARAH
HIDING BEHIND A DOOR TO LISTEN
LAUGHED TOO
AND GOD
PLAYING WITH HIS CREATION
SAID TO HER
YOU LAUGHED

IN FEAR
BECAUSE SHE HAD BEEN STANDING
BEHIND THE DOOR
SARAH SAID
NO I DIDN’T

AND THEN FOLLOWS
THAT VERY HUMAN STORY
OF GOD AND SARAH TALKING LIKE THIS
YOU LAUGHED
NO I DIDN’T
YES YOU DID
UH-HUH
UH-UH
UH-HUH
UH-UH


AS FAR AS I KNOW
THEY COULD STILL BE HAVING
THIS CONVERSATION

BUT A CHILD WAS BORN TO SARAH AND ABRAHAM
AND THEY CALLED HIM LAUGHTER
A NICE NAME
IN HEBREW HE WAS CALLED ISAAC

THEN GOD SAID TO ABRAHAM
I REQUIRE A SACRIFICE
I REQUIRE THE LIFE OF ISAAC
AND ABRAHAM LOADED ISAAC
WITH THE WOOD FOR THE SACRIFICE
TOOK HIM UP A HIGH MOUNTAIN

ABRAHAM BOUND ISAAC
AND WAS READY TO SLAY HIM
THE KNIFE WAS IN THE AIR
THE SUNLIGHT GLISTENED ON IT
BUT GOD STAYED ABRAHAM’S ARM

FOR GOD HAD THOUGHT
IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR MAN
TO SLAY EACH OTHER
NO I WILL SEND MY SON
AS THAT SACRIFICE

LET US CONTINUE THEN
WITH GOD THE SON
WHOM WE CALL JESUS

HE LEAPED DOWN FROM HEAVEN
TO BE OUR SAVIOR
TAKING ON HUMAN FORM
AND AS A HUMAN
HE WAS BORN
LIVED
SUFFERED
DIED
AND WAS BURIED
AS PAYMENT FOR OUR SINS

HE ROSE TRIUMPHANT FROM THE GRAVE
AND LIVED WITH HIS APOSTLES
FORTY MORE DAYS

HE IS OUR REDEEMER
AND AS HE LEFT US
TO RETURN TO HEAVEN
HE SAID I WILL SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT
TO COMPLETE MY WORK

LET US CONTINUE THEN
WITH GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

WHO IS TASKED
WITH BRINGING TO HARVEST
ALL GOD’S PROMISES

WHO IS THE FULFILLER
THE ENABLER
THE INSPIRER
WHO IS CHARGED
WITH RECREATING GOD’S CREATION
TO BRING IT ONCE MORE TO GOD’S DREAM

HOW SHALL WE KNOW
WHEN THE SPIRIT IS AMONG US
WHEN WE SEE IN OUR SOCIETY
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
WHICH ARE LOVE, JOY, PEACE,
PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS,
FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL

WHEN WE SEE THAT IN OUR SOCIETY
WHETHER THAT SOCIETY BE TWO PEOPLE
TWENTY PEOPLE
TWO HUNDRED PEOPLE
TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE
TWO MILLION PEOPLE
CITIES
COUNTRIES
NATION
WORLD

TO THE EXTANT
THAT WE SEE THESE GIFTS IN OUR SOCIETY
THEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AT WORK
TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE MISSING
THEN WE HAVE WORK TO DO TO BRING IT ABOUT

FOR WE ARE THE CHURCH
AND THAT CHURCH IS COMMISSIONED
THAT CHURCH IS COMMANDED
TO MAKE THE WORLD BETTER

A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES
BEGINS WITH ONE STEP
I WOULD LIKE TODAY
WITH YOUR HELP
TO MAKE THE WORLD BETTER
TO MAKE ONE SMALL STEP

REMEMBER THE TOWER OF BABEL
WHERE TONGUES WERE CONFUSED BECAUSE OF SIN
AND REMEMBER THE TONGUES OF FIRE
OF PENTECOST MORNING
WHICH SIGNIFY A NEW LANGUAGE
THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE

WELL IN OUR LIVES
THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE
WITH WHOM WE FIND IT HARD
TO COMMUNICATE
SOMEONE IN OUR FAMILY
SOMEONE OUTSIDE OUR FAMILY
PERHAPS EVEN GOD

IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR OWN MIND
IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR DEEPEST HEART
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SAY THESE WORDS
WITH ME
AS I SAY THEM TO THAT PERSON
I MYSELF FIND IT HARD TO LOVE

LET US BEGIN

WHOEVER YOU ARE
THAT I FIND IT HARD TO TALK TO
FOR WHATEVER REASON
I PROMISE THAT I SHALL TRY
TO ONLY SPEAK LOVE TO YOU
TO CURB HATRED AND ANGER
I PROMISE FURTHER
THAT WHEN I FAIL
I WILL TRY AND TRY AGAIN

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
WHAT WE HAVE PROMISED IS NOT EASY
CHRISTIANITY
PROPERLY LIVED
IS NOT EASY
BUT THEN I KNOW OF NO PROBLEM IN LIFE
CURED BY MORE HATE

WE ARE THE CHURCH
WE ARE COMMISSIONED TO SPEAK LOVE
LET US MAKE IT OUR NATIVE TONGUE


FRANK A VOLLMER

A SENSE OF CALM

A SENSE OF CALM


I FEEL A SENSE OF CALM
AT EASE WITH MYSELF
AND THE WORLD

NOT THAT ALL THE WORLD’S TROUBLES
HAVE VANISHED
BUT THAT THEY ARE RECOGNIZED

THAT WINDOW DRESSING RELIGION
ISN’T THE ANSWER
IF THE POOR
THE WIDOW
THE ORPHAN
THE HUNGRY
THE HOMELESS
ARE NEGLECTED
AND OUT OF OUR CONSCIOUSNESS

BUT NOW OF THESE PROBLEMS
THERE IS A WILLINGNESS
TO WORK TO SOLVE THEM
AS ISAIAH SAYS

IS NOT THIS THE KIND OF FASTING I HAVE CHOSEN TO LOOSE THE CHAINS OF INJUSTICE AND UNTIE THE CORDS OF THE YOKE, TO SET THE OPPRESSED FREE AND BREAK EVERY YOKE

IN PLACE OF THE WORD FASTING
CAN WE NOT SAY RELIGION

AND IS A WORLD LETTING CHILDREN
GO TO BED HUNGRY
NOT LIVING UP TO THEIR RELIGION

BUT I FEEL A SENSE OF CALM
NOT THAT THE PROBLEMS ARE OVER
BUT THAT
WE HAVE WAKENED FROM OUR SLEEP
AND ARE WORKING
IN THE VINEYARD
TO SOLVE THEM


FRANK A VOLLMER

A MOOD

A MOOD

AUTUMN DAY
BREEZE IN THE MEADOW
BUSHES STAND STILL SHUDDER STAND STILL
SCAMPER OF FIELD MOUSE SQUIRREL AND RABBIT
FLIGHT OF A BUZZARD SILENT ALONE
WEEDS GONE TO SEED TASSELS TOSSING
LEAVES CLUSTER AROUND THE FENCE POST
TREE TRUNK AND ROADSIDE
FLOAT ON THE WATER
SENSE OF FOREBODING
SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN
SOON IT WILL RAIN



frank a vollmer

A KALEIDOSCOPE OF DREAMS

A KALEIDOSCOPE OF DREAMS



MISTER FROGGIE WENT CALLING AT THE CASTLE
TO DEMAND WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS HIS DUE
BUT INSTEAD FOUND ONLY REJECTION
DREAMS DO NOT OFTEN COME TRUE

LIKE A FATHER PREOCCUPIED WITH CARE
WHO WAS TOO BUSY TO PLAY
WHO LET ME COME TO A PRECIPICE
BEFORE HE WHISKED ME AWAY

OR THE FATHER WHO DIED UNKNOWN TO ME
WHOSE BODY WAS ONLY A FORM
WHO CAME AT THE END TO SAY I LOVE YOU
BEFORE HIS MEMORY SCATTERED IN A STORM

I MUST BRUSH MY HAIR FREE OF DEMONS
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
SCATTER THE DARKNESS WITH LIGHTNING
AND KNOW GOD AND I ARE ALRIGHT

PUSH ASIDE ALL THAT WOULD THWART ME
FROM FEELING TRAPPED IN THIS PLACE
SEARCH HIGHWAYS BYWAYS FOR PASSAGE
UNTIL I FEEL SUN ON MY FACE

FINALLY I WENT TO THE LAMA
TO FIND A MOUNTAINTOP HIGH
FOUND INSTEAD A YOUNG IMP OF A BOY
WHO SAID I’LL SEE YOU BYE AND BYE


FRANK A VOLLMER

A FLOWER FOR MY LOVE

A FLOWER FOR MY LOVE

WHAT COLOR FLOWER SHALL I GIVE MY LOVE
WHAT COLOR FLOWER FOR MY LADY
SHALL I GIVE HER ONE OF RED
TO SHOW THE ARDOR OF MY LOVE
OR ONE OF BLUE
TO SHOW MY LOVE IS ENDLESS AS THE SKY
OR PINK
BECAUSE SOMETIMES I ACT SILLY THINKING OF HER
OR LAVENDER
A QUIET COLOR
TO MATCH THE PEACE SHE BRINGS ME
OR YELLOW
BECAUSE SHE WARMS ME AS THE SUN
OR ROYAL PURPLE
BECAUSE SHE IS MY LADY FAIR
I CANNOT CHOOSE
I CANNOT PICK A COLOR
AND SO I'LL GIVE TO HER A RAINBOW
TO WEAR AROUND HER HEART


frank a vollmer

A FENCE

A FENCE


A FENCE RAMBLES DOWN THE ROAD
LOSES ITSELF IN THE DISTANCE
ON EACH SIDE THE RIPENED FIELDS STAND
WAITING FOR HARVEST
A MOUNTAIN GROWS COLORFULLY TO THE SKY
WHITE AND HEAVY WITH CLOUDS
GEESE ARE SEEN
FLYING SOUTH


FRANK A VOLLMER

A CHILD IS BORN

ALL THE WORLD IN SILENCE LAY

OR AT LEAST IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN

BUT BUSY BETHLEHEM

THOUGH IT WOULD EVER RUE THE DAY

GAVE NO THOUGHT TO HIM


THE TOWN WAS FULL

WITH ROOMS AVAILABLE AT A PRICE

THAT JOSEPH COULDN'T PAY

AND THROUGH THE MANY STREETS HE WENT

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY


NO PLACE -- NO PLACE

WITH MANY A SLAMMING DOOR

NO PLACE ~- NO PLACE

TILL HE COULD STAND IT NO MORE

TILL HE DOUBLED UP HIS F1ST IN ANGER

TILL HE FELT A GREAT AND SURGING ANGER

A NUMBING HOLLOW FEELING

WHOSE NAME HE DID NOT KNOW

TILL MARY SPOKE HIS NAME

AND THE ANGER FLED LIKE SUMMER CLOUDS AFTER RAIN

AND HE TOOK THE DONKEY'S BRIDLE

AND SOUGHT A PLACE OUTSIDE OF TOWN


THEY CAME UPON A FARMER'S WIFE

WHO LISTENING TO THEIR PLEA

MOVED AN OX OUT OF ITS STALL

AND WELCOMED COMPANY



BUT JOSEPH SHE QUICKLY PUT OUTSIDE

TO BUILD A FIRE AND WATER BOIL

WHILE THE GOOD MIDWIFE WENT BACK INSIDE

TO WAIT AWHILE

.
THE COLD MOON'S RAYS WERE SILVER NOW

THE HOOTING OWL, A FUNNY CALL

THE GOOD MIDWIFE WITH BUSTLING PRIDE

ANNOUNCED TO EACH AND ALL

A CHILD IS BORN



TO EACH AND ALL, WHICH REALLY MEANT
ONE OX, ONE ASS, THE FAMILY SHEEP

A GROUP OF DOVES WHO RAFTER DWELT;

TO MARY, CERTAINLY, WHERE SHE LAY--

CONTENT THAT NOW HIS TIME HAD COME,

AND TO JOSEPH ON HIS WAY TO FETCH A PAIL OF WATER

THE LIGHTNING FLASHED, FOR ONE BRIGHT MOMENT

A JACOB'S LADDER TO THE SKY

THEN ALL WAS STILL SO VERY STILL
AND JOSEPH HEARD THE ANGELS' SING

SHEPHERDS CAME
AND WISEMEN TOO
AND EACH ONE BROUGHT HIS GIFT
FROM SOME CAME GOLD, FROM OTHERS MYRRH
FROM OTHERS FRANKINCENSE

SOME CAME
WITH HEARTS OF LOVE
OVERFLOWING
FROM MOST OF US CAME NOTHING
WE WERE TOO BUSY BACK IN BETHLEHEM

BUT GOD HAD COME TO CLAIM HIS OWN
AND A MANGER WAS HIS THRONE
FOR ROYAL GARMENTS: BABY CLOTHES
HIS RETINUE AN OX AND ASS
HIS COUNCILOR A CARPENTER
FOR FRIENDS--SO VERY FEW
SO MANY OF THEM MISSING
WHERE WERE YOU?

A 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

A CANDLE

A CANDLE

OUT OF ALL THE LONELINESS OF ETERNITY
GOD CREATED ME
OUT OF TIMELESS HOURS
AND DAYLESS YEARS
FULL KNOWN AT BIRTH WAS EVERY FAULT
YET HE BORN ME STILL
HOW GREAT A LOVE
TO FORGIVE RIGHT FROM THE START
ALL OUTRAGEOUS ACTION
HOW GREAT A LOVE
WHO HAVING SET ME SAIL
SPENDS ALL MY LIFE
AS PILOT TO THE TRIP
BUT THEN IF I AM LOVED BY ANOTHER HUMAN
HOW LIKE UNTO A GOD THEY ARE
THE ONE WHO LOVES ME
WHO GIVES ME IMPORTANCE FAR BEYOND MY WORTH
WHO CALLS ME OUT OF DARKNESS AND MAKES ME GLOW
WHO INTRUDES INTO MY TIME AND GIVES IT MEANING
WHO LOVES ME
KNOWING MY DEFECTS OR PRESUMES THEM
AND LOVES ME STILL
IF I WERE TO MAKE A MONUMENT TO LOVE
NO MARBLE WOULD I USE
BUT I’D LIGHT A CANDLE IN A LONELY PLACE
WHERE MEN WALK SULLEN AND AFRAID
AND SEE THE SHADOWS BECOME LESS FEARFUL
FEEL THE NIGHT BECOME LESS GRIM
SEE A SMILE UPON THE WALKERS
FEEL GOD’S PRESENCE HOVERING IN

f. a. vollmer

A BLESSING

A BLESSING


LET US BEGIN
AS WE BEGIN ALL THINGS

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
AND THE SON
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
AMEN

JESUS SAID
WHERE TWO OR THREE
ARE
GATHERED IN MY NAME
THERE I AM
AMONG THEM

THEN THIS MUST BE
A HOLY PEOPLE
A HOLY PLACE

AND TO THIS HOLY PLACE
WE INVITE
THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS

THEY ARE ALREADY HERE
THEY HAVE NEVER LEFT

AMONG THAT COMMUNITY
ARE ALL OUR LOVED ONES
WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE

AND ON THIS HOLY ASSEMBLY
I ASK A BLESSING
ON OUR FOOD
ON OURSELVES
ASKING
PLEADING
THAT

GOD BE IN OUR HEAD,
AND IN OUR UNDERSTANDING;

GOD BE IN OUR EYES,
AND IN OUR LOOKING;

GOD BE IN OUR MOUTH,
AND IN OUR SPEAKING;

GOD BE IN OUR HEART,
AND IN OUR THINKING;

GOD BE AT OUR END,
AND AT OUR DEPARTING

GOD BE WITH US
MORNING
NOON
EVENING
AND THROUGH THE NIGHT

GOD BE WITH US
GOD BE ALWAYS WITH US

AND WITH OUR ABSENT
BROTHERS
AND SISTERS

JUNE LUNDHOLM

JUNE LUNDHOLM





WHEN I WAS A YOUNG AND COURTING GIRL
OUT WALKING WITH MY BEAU
HE SLIPPED BEHIND A CLIFF'S EDGE
BUT I WALKED ON
THINKING HIM PLAYING THE FOOL
BUT HE DIDN'T APPEAR
I WILL NOT BE PART OF HIS JOKE
I THOUGHT
I WILL WAIT HIM OUT
OR SHOULD I WALK ON AND LEAVE HIM
FOR LOVE'S BURDENS WERE MAKING THEIR DEMANDS
I COULD WALK ON AND BE FREE
BUT SUCH FREEDOM I DID NOT WANT
SO BEING LONELY I SOUGHT HIM OUT
AND FOUND HIM TRULY FALLEN
AND CLINGING TO A TREE
A SILLY THING
BUT ONE THAT GRADUALLY BECAME
A PART OF FAMILY HISTORY
OF EYES ROLLED TO THE HEAVENS
OH NO NOT THAT STORY AGAIN
WE WED
AND HAD FULL YEARS
OF HOME OF CHILDREN OF LOVE
HE LEFT TOO SOON
NO MATTER HOW MANY WERE THE YEARS BY CALENDAR
HE WALKED TO LIFE'S EDGE
AND LEFT TOO SOON
NOW I HAVE GONE TO LIFE'S EDGE AND BEYOND
BUT WEEP NOT FOR ME
FOR HE MET ME ON MY DYING
I TOLD HIM
THE CHILDREN ARE WELL
I KNOW HE SAID
I MISSED YOU
I KNOW HE SAID
L LOVE YOU STILL
I KNOW HE SAID
I LOVE YOU TOO
AND SO DOES JESUS
WELCOME HOME

JOURNEY'S END

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 WONDERING
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 IN THE EVENING
THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO DIED THAT DAY
FLY 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 THE BEGINNING OF DREAMS FOR YOU
TO THE BEGINNING OF 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


f. a. vollmer

JOSEPH'S DEATH

A CEREMONY FOR REMEMBERING

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


f. a. vollmer

JOHNJOHN

JOHNJOHN

I REMEMBER THE DAY YOUR FATHER DIED
WHEN THE WORLD WAS YOUNG
WHEN I WAS YOUNG
AND YOU WERE JUST A LITTLE LAD

I REMEMBER HOW THE AIRCRAFT
KEPT TAKING OFF AND LANDING
UNTIL I WANTED TO CRY
STOP
THERE SHOULD BE SILENCE
THERE MUST BE SILENCE
FOR THE DREAM HAD BROKEN
LIKE A FILM REEL IN MID MOVIE

NOW THE WATERS CLAIM THE SON
THE WATERS CLAIM HIM
AND WILL NOT SHOW THE SPOT

WHAT CAN WE LEARN
FROM SUCH AN UNTIMELY DEATH
THAT OUR TIME TOGETHER
IS TOO SHORT AND UNCERTAIN
THAT NO DAY SHOULD END IN ANGER
THAT WE SHOULD RESTART THE DREAM
WE THOUGHT HAD ENDED

NOT IN ANYONE'S MEMORY
BUT FOR OURSELVES
FOR THE DREAM OF THE FATHER
FOR THE SON AND US
WAS THAT WE SHOULD LIVE IN A BETTER WORLD
THAN THE ONE WE INHERITED

IT SHOULD BE NOT JUST ONE MAN'S DREAM
NOR END WITH ONE MAN'S DEATH
IT IS A DREAM WE ALL SHOULD CARRY

BUT I REMEMBER
HOW IT WAS
WHEN YOUR FATHER DIED
WHEN THE WORLD WAS YOUNG
WHEN I WAS YOUNG
AND YOU WERE A LITTLE BOY

frank a. vollmer

JOHN 19:41

JOHN 19:41

JESUS CHRIST SUPER STAR

THERE WAS A GARDEN IN THE PLACE WHERE JESUS HAD BEEN PUT TO DEATH AND IN IT THERE WAS A NEW TOMB WHERE NO ONE HAD EVER BEEN LAID


A NEW TOMB IN NEW EARTH
A FRESH FURROW TO PLANT THE SEED
A SEED THAT HAD SURVIVED THE WINTER’S SNOW
A GARDEN PLACE
WHERE MEN WALK IN THE TWILIGHT OF THE DAY
SEEKING RELIEF FROM THE HEAT OF THE DAY
SEEKING STRENGTH FOR THE MORROW
ALONE HE WENT
AT THE END
WITHOUT A FRIEND
STRUNG OUT LIKE WASH AGAINST THE SKY
AS IF
THE WASHING OF THEIR HANDS
WOULD PUT AN END TO HIM
BUT HE FELL TO EARTH
LIKE AUTUMN SEED
IN NEW TURNED SOIL
TOOK THE NIGHT
TOOK THE COLD
WOKE TO SUN
WOKE TO WARMTH
WOKE TO BIRTH
BY MAGDALENE’S TEARS
WHERE IS MY JESUS
WHERE IS MY LOVE

THERE WAS A DEATH
THE WAS A TOMB

FRANK A VOLLMER

JOHN 12:20-33

JOHN 12.20-33



THE GOSPEL FOR THIS SUNDAY
I FIND CONFUSING
NO NEW THING THERE

FIRST GREEKS COME TO SEE JESUS
THEN DISAPPEAR

LET ME TELL YOU
WHAT I THINK
NOT WHAT I KNOW

WHEN THE GREEKS APPEARED
JESUS SAYS
THE WORLD HAS DISCOVERED ME
MY HOUR HAS COME

I MUST AS A GRAIN OF WHEAT
DIE
AND MY DEATH
WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT

MY FOLLOWERS
IT WILL BE A ROUGH ROAD
THINK MUCH
BEFORE YOU START ON IT

WE WILL WALK THE ROAD
TOGETHER

I SPEAK NOBLY
BUT I AM AFRAID
SHALL I ASK TO BE SAVED FROM THIS HOUR
NO
IT IS THE PURPOSE
FOR MY BEING


FATHER
FOR YOUR GLORY
I DIE

LIKE THUNDER
HEAVEN SPOKE
AMEN
AMEN
AMEN

I DIE IN BATTLE
THAT THE ENEMY BE VANQUISHED

WHEN I AM LIFTED UP IN DEATH
I SHALL DRAW
ALL PEOPLE
TO MY SELF

AND THE HEAVENS RUMBLED
AMEN
AMEN
AMEN


FRANK A VOLLMER

JOB

JOB




i’ve never liked
the ending
of the book of job

oh the words are majestic
you can really chew the scenery
when reciting them

but it’s as if god
is caught short
without an answer

so he blusters
making himself big
he thunders
at job
who cows
frightened
and unanswered

but before that scene
his friends COUNSEL him
that his sins are the cause
of his suffering

a common thought at that time
where gods were appeased by sacrifice
that god would reward
now
here
because at death
what awaited you was a land of shade

in that light
his friend eliphaz
said
if you repent your sin
to which job said
i have not

forging on
eliphaz said
if you repent your sin
then

You will make a covenant with the stones in the fields. They won't keep your crops from growing. Even wild animals will be at peace with you

but this contradicts god
when he chased man from the garden
saying

The very ground is cursed because of you; getting food from the ground Will be as painful as having babies is for your wife

but christ came
to heal a wounded creation
gave us his indwelling spirit
to do what is right
to reward us with a good conscience
not NECESSARILY a good life

the words
But the downtrodden are saved by God, saved from the murderous plots
saved from the iron fist

we know are often not true

the mother shot
because she wouldn’t let her son go
in the lineup at AUSCHWITZ

the workman
seeing his pension
stolen
by greedy profiteers

the nun
trying for a living wage
for farm workers
killed by rich landowners

BONHOEFFER
jailed and hung
for wanting justice

children that die before their parents

they were not saved from the iron fist
and they lived well

IN ORIENTAL CULTURE
THERE IS A PRINCIPLE CALLED
Bodhisattva

one who postpones salvation
to help others

is this not
the omega point
toward which we’re growing

having tried all other roads
to find that love is the answer
that salvation is meager
when done alone
without a neighbor
is this not pie in the sky

did not christ die to save a world
was his death in vain
or only for a few

is he not the yeast
that permeates the world
to make it better
and does he not need our hands
to make it happen

i still don’t like god’s answer to job
or that sin brings on misfortune
like a quid pro quo transaction

but maybe
when i think
how i’ve fumbled my life away
that the god who loves me
know what’s best for me

and when things don’t go well
he blusters
to hide his crying


frank a vollmer

JESUS' WORDS

JESUS’ WORDS


I have made your name known to those
whom you gave me from the world



I’M REMINDED
WHEN I READ
JESUS’ WORDS
MY OWN CHILDREN’S WORDS
TO ME
FATHER
ARE YOU PROUD OF ME
I’VE DONE WHAT YOU ASKED

THERE IS A NOSTALGIA
IN HIS WORDS
HE WAS LEAVING HIS FRIENDS
IN AN UNWELCOMING WORLD

THE TASK HAD BEEN PASSED ON
TO FRAIL AND FRAGILE HANDS
HE WOULD BE WITH THEM FOREVER
BUT THE WORK WAS THEIRS

HE KNEW
AS A PARENT KNOWS
THAT THE BIKE
WOULD BE LEFT IN THE RAIN
THE TOOL
WOULD NOT BE RETURNED
THE PET
THEY PROMISED TO CARE FOR
WOULD BECOME HIS PET
NECESSARY STEPS
TO BECOMING RESPONSIBLE

I am not asking you
to take them out of the world,
but I ask you to protect them
from the evil one

THEIR TASK
WAS TO MAKE THE WORLD BETTER
BY LIVING THE GOSPEL
TO LOVE OTHERS
AS HE LOVED THEM
TO FORGIVE WRONGS
SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN
TO STAND WITH
THE POOR
THE SICK
THE LONELY
TO WORK
THAT THE KINGDOM
MIGHT COME
TO MAKE NO COMPROMISES
WITH THAT WISH
AND TO DIE
RATHER THAN
DENY IT


FRANK A VOLLMER

JARS

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.


Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.


But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.




JARS

NOW THEY WERE OLD JARS
BROUGHT OUT FOR THE OCCASION
TO HANDLE THE CROWD

NOT THE BEST JARS
BUT ONES BROUGHT OUT OF STORAGE
DUSTED AND FILLED WITH WATER

THEIR FINISH WAS DULL
AND IF TRUTH BE TOLD
SOME LEAKED

BUT THEY ONLY HELD WATER
HUMBLE ORDINARY WATER

THEN GOD SPOKE
AND JARS OF CLAY
STAYED JARS OF CLAY

BUT FILLED
WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD
AND HIS GOODNESS

THROUGHOUT HISTORY
THE BROKEN TOOL
HAS BEEN USED
TO BUILD THE CITY

AND OLD JARS
HAVE BEEN ASKED
TO HOLD
THE SWEETNESS OF GOD
AND SHARE IT
WITH ALL WHO ARE THIRSTY

FRANK A VOLLMER

BASED ON A SERMON BY PASTOR DAVID MCGETTIGAN

IT'S SPRING

IT'S SPRING

IT'S SPRING SAYS A GENTLE BREEZE
MOTHER EARTH'S SWEET BREAST IS FLOWING
THE SUCKLING TREES GROW GREEN
AND THE SUN IS GLOWING
THE BEASTS GAUNT AND SLEEPY EYED
COME OUT OF HIBERNATION
THE BIRDS ARRIVE IN THRONGS
TO HERALD THE RECREATION
THE STREAMS FREED FROM WINTER 'S ICE
SWIFTLY FLOW SINGING A SONG
AND GREAT WHITE CLOUDS IN A BIG BLUE SKY
SILENTLY SAIL, ALONG

FRANK A VOLLMER

WHEN KINGS GO OFF TO WAR

.

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

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

BUT GOD HEARS
AND SAYS

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

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

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

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

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


FRANK A VOLLMER

IT IS THE TIME FOR THE PUTTING AWAY OF TOYS

IT IS THE TIME FOR THE PUTTING AWAY OF TOYS

THE BOAT IS BEACHED
THE DOCK IS IN
THE PICNIC SUPPLIES SHELVED
AND AUTUMN
LIKE A PAINTED LADY
TRIES TO HIDE
THE RAVAGES OF AGE

WOW
WHERE DID THAT COME FROM
THAT GLOOMY THOUGHT

BUT I HAVE GROWN FAMILIAR WITH DEATH LATELY
AND THOSE MY AGE I UNDERSTOOD
AS THE NATURAL CONSEQUENCES OF TIME



Frank a vollmer

IT IS THE TIME

CALUMET - SUMMER'S END

IT IS THE TIME FOR GOING AWAY
THOUGH SOME WILL STAY
THE KEEPERS OF THE NEST
ENSURING THAT THE SANCTUARY
WILL BE HERE WHEN NEEDED

IT IS THE TIMES FOR LEAVES
AND LEAVING

IT IS THE TIME
FOR SENDING OUT THE MESSAGE
THAT GOD LIVES

THAT GOD LIVES
AND HIS STORY IS WORTH RETELLING

AS EACH ONE GOES
LIKE CANDLES FLOATING ON THE WATER
TAKING THE MESSAGE
TO ALL DARK PLACES

THE MESSAGE
GOD IS
HE LOVES
HE CARES

THEY GO AS AUTUMN LEAVES
AND THEIR FLIGHT IS BEAUTIFUL

THEY GO
CARRYING OUR LOVE
AND SENDING IT BACK
SO THAT
WHEN WINTER STILLNESS COMES
AND WITH IT COLD
OUR HEARTS
WILL BE WARMED
BY ITS MEMORY

FRANK A VOLLMER

IRONY

IRONY

HE WAS ALONE
THE OTHERS HAD GONE
IT WAS TYPICAL FOR HIM TO BE LEFT BEHIND
HE WAS THE ORPHAN AFTER ALL
THE ORPHAN FROM CYRENE
SENT BE HIS FATHER
FROM THAT CITY
TO HIS UNCLE
WHEN HIS MOTHER DIED

OH THEY DIDN'T TREAT HIM POORLY
BUT HE WASN'T ANYONE'S FAVORITE SON
SO THEY LEFT HIM BEHIND
TO TEND THE FLOCK
WHILE THEY WENT
WI TH GREAT NOISE
AND AMAZEMENT
TO SEE
IF WHAT THE ANGELS SANG ABOUT
WAS TRUE
WHILE HE
SITTING ON A HIGH SPOT
TO WATCH THE FLOCK
STUDIED THE STARS
AS IF THEY HELD A MEANING

REJOICE
REJOICE
FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN A CHILD
REJOICE

BUT WHY REJOICE
THERE WAS NO REJOICING
AT HIS BIRTH
ONLY TEARS AND HIS MOTHER'S DEATH
WHY REJOICE
I HAVE NO ONE I BELONG TO
WHY REJOICE

THIS EMOTION DROVE HIM
TO BE THE PARENT
OF ALL THE LAMBS ABANDONED BY THEIR PARENTS
TO ALL THE LAMBS
WHOM DEATH HAD MADE ORPHANS
LIKE THE LITTLE ONE
HE CRADLED NOW
WRAPPED IN HIS SHAWL
TO KEEP BOTH WARM
WHILE HE TOLD THE LAMB
ALL THE WONDERS OF THE NIGHT SKY
HOW HE PUZZLED OVER THE BRILLIANCE
OF THAT ONE STAR
HE COULDN'T REMEMBER WHEN IT WASN'T THERE
BUT HE KNEW IT WAS NEW
IT SEEMED TO BE THE ECHO OF THE ANGEL'S SONG
WHEN ALL THE SKY WAS FILLED WITH LIGHT
THAT LIGHT NOW SHRUNK TO ONE BRIGHT POINT
STRONGER THAN ANY HE HAD SEEN BEFORE

IT'S SAID
HE TOLD THE LAMB
THE STARS
CAN TELL THE BIRTHING OF A KING
IT WELL MAY BE
IT DOES LITTLE FOR ME
I SHALL NEVER MEET THAT KING

NO LITTLE FRIEND
YOUR FRIEND SIMON OF CYRENE
WILL NEVER MEET THAT KING

FRANK A VOLLMER

IN TO THE DESERT

IN TO THE DESERT


WE WENT INTO THE DESERT
WE HAD VISIONS
WE CAME BACK SINGING

WE WENT OINTO THE DESERT
WITH BURNING FEET
WE CAME BACK DANCING

THEY SAID WE WERE FOOLS OF A MAD KING
WE AGREE
WE OFTEN LABOR WITH HIS TEACHING

BUT FOR A MOMENT
WE FELT THE SUN UPON OUR BACK
HEARD TRUTH IN OUR LAUGHTER
SAW THE DESERT BLOOMED FOR AN INSTANT

Frank a Vollmer

ICE STORM

ICE STORM


THE WIND GODS BLEW
AS IF COOLING A BOWL OF SOUP

ICE APPEARED ON TREE AND LAKE

BREAKING SOME TREES
CONGEALING THE LAKE

A CRYSTAL PARADISE
AWESOME TO SEE
HARD TO BE OUT IN

ALL THE ANIMALS WERE HUNKERED DOWN

EXCEPT A BRACE OF MOURNING DOVES
WHO CAME TO THE FEEDER GROUND
LOOKING FOR CAST OFF SEEDS

I WANTED TO SAY SEEK SHELTER
BUT THEY KNEW BETTER THAN I
THAT HARDSHIP
SHOULDN’T KEEP ONE FROM LIVING

THAT WEATHER
SHOULDN’T DEFEAT YOU

THAT HOPE IN SPRING
IS NECESSARY TO SURVIVE

IF THAT IS LOST
THEN THE ENEMY WINS

THE WIND BLOWS
THE HEART CONGEALS
AND DIES


FRANK A VOLLMER

i love you

I LOVE YOU

I LOVE YOU
IT'S SIMPLY SAID
AND ALL THE OTHER WORDS I'VE USED
BOILS DOWN TO THIS
I LOVE YOU
I'VE OFTEN WISHED
I COULD SAY IT ONCE WELL
WITH ALL THE MAJESTY OF LANGUAGE
TO TELL IT ONCE WELL
AND BE DONE WITH THE TELLING
BUT IT SEEMS LOVE NEEDS TELLING
IT ENJOYS THE TELLING
BUT WHY ONLY ONE WORD
FOR I LOVE SUNSETS AND SWEET WINE
LONG COUNTRY WALKS AND DOG'S COLD MUZZLE
FRIEND'S EASY LAUGHTER OR GROANS FOR MY JOKES
AND CHILDREN MY CHILDREN WITH STORY TO TELL
OR IMPROMPTU KISS
A MAN'S HANDSHAKE WHEN MY FINGERS HURT
THE SAME STRENGTH IN A WOMAN'S EYES
DOES EACH NEW THING I LOVE
PREPARE MY HEART
TO LOVE THE NEXT THING BETTER
DOES EACH NEW LOVE EXPAND MY HEART
IS THIS WHY THEN
WITH ONE SMALL WORD
THE UNIVERSE IS TOLD
IS THIS WHY THEN
WITH ALL THE BURNING IN MY HEART
TO HAVE IT SAID IN WORDS IMMORTAL
IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO THIS
I LOVE YOU


Frank a vollmer

HOW COULD I MISS YOU

HOW COULD I MISS YOU

HOW COULD I MISS YOU

WHEN YOU WERE ALWAYS IN MY HEART

SO THAT SUNSETS WERE VIEWED

THROUGH MEMORIES OF YOU

AND THE WIND WAS ALWAYS

CALLING YOUR NAME

frank a. vollmer

HOW CAN YOU HELP ME

HOW CAN YOU HELP ME

HOW CAN YOU HELP ME CRIPPLED JESUS
HOW CAN YOU HELP ME

HOW CAN YOU SHOW ME THE WAY
WHEN YOUR HANDS AND FEET
ARE NAILED TO THE CROSS

HOW CAN YOU MEND BROKEN HEARTS
WHEN YOURS IS BROKEN BY A SPEAR

HOW CAN YOU CLEAR MY MIND
WHEN YOURS IS CLOUDED
BY THE PAIN OF THORNS
HOW CAN YOU HELP ME

HOW CAN YOU HELP ME
MY WOUNDED JESUS
HOW CAN YOU HELP ME

AND JESUS SAYS
I CANNOT
AS LONG
AS I AM FIXED HERE

FIXED HERE
TO THE WOOD
BY THE NAILS

YOU MUST TAKE ME DOWN
AND LET ME BE WITH YOU
LET ME BE A PART OF YOU
LET ME BE WITHIN YOU

THEN YOU SHALL BE
MY HANDS AND FEET
MY HEART AND MIND
WHEN YOU AND I
ARE ONE
AS I
AND THE FATHER
AND THE SPIRIT
ARE ONE

BUT…
BUT WOUNDED SAVIOR
WITH YOUR DAMAGED FEET
WE WILL NOT TRAVEL FAR

LEAN ON ME CHILD
AND I YOU

AND WEARING OUR WOUNDS
LIKE BADGES
WE WILL MAKE IT THROUGH

NOT BY DENIAL OF OUR WOUNDS
FOR THEY ARE REAL

BUT IN THE WISDOM
THAT YOU TAUGHT US
THAT YOU DID NOT SUFFER IN VAIN
OR DIE IN VAIN

THAT YOU DID NOT SUFFER
AND DIE
FOR MY FAILURE
OR MY CONDEMNATION
BUT MY SUCCESS

AT SUCH A PRICE
CAN I REFUSE
TO TAKE YOU DOWN
AND MAKE US ONE


FRANK A VOLLMER

HOVERED

hovering


in the beginning
god created
emptiness
a void
and brooded over it
like a mother eagle
over her nest

from emptiness
he called forth
a WATERY globe

from the water
he called out
land

from land he created
all that was
and man

from chaos to man
with a wave of his hand
or rather a passing thought

or more likely
a passion to be loved

that man could see
god created sun

that man could rest
god created moon

that man could wonder
god created stars
to make man puzzle
and to reach

that man could challenge

he created rivers to cross
and mountains to climb

but what have we done
with all these gifts

like children
on christmas morning
we’ve squabbled over toys
broke them

and the parent weeps


frank a vollmer

HOUSE BLESSING

HOUSE BLESSING

May your house be big enough
To hold all the love
You give
And receive
May its walls be strong enough
To keep you from the wind
But doors opened to let the pilgrim in

May it be filled with tears and laughter
Sweat and leisure, books and slapstick
God's grace and cleaning power
But most of all may it protect you
For us and from us
And may our homes
Always be
Second home to you

Frank Vollmer

HOSPITAL GOWN

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

FRANK A VOLLMER

GOD'S PLAN

GOD’S PLAN




I CAME HOME
ONE NIGHT
LATE FROM WORK
TO FIND ONE OF MY CHILDREN
WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK
AND THE MONSTER UNDER THE BED
NOT WANTING TO GO TO SLEEP
AND CRYING

I HADN’T BEEN HOME
TO GO THROUGH THE RITUAL
OF EXORCISING
THE DEMON
AND THE GOODNIGHT KISS

AFTER WHICH HE WENT RIGHT TO SLEEP

I HAD NO MAGIC POWERS
EXCEPT THE TITLE OF PARENT
AND PARENTS
CAN WINDUP TOYS
REPLACE BATTERIES
FLY KITES
BAIT HOOKS
MEND BROKEN HEARTS
AND SCRAPPED KNEES

THERE WAS A BOAT
IN THE MIDST
OF A TURBULENT SEA
THE SAILORS WERE AFRAID
OF BEING SWAMPED



SO THEY WENT TO JESUS
ASLEEP
ON A PILLOW
IN THE REAR OF THE BOAT
AND LIKE CHILDREN
AFRAID OF THE DARK
CRIED
ABBA
FATHER
FIX THE WEATHER

THE SERMON USUALLY PREACHED
ON THIS STORY
IS THAT JESUS
WILL TAKE CARE OF US

I AM REMINDED
OF THE JEW
ON THE WAY TO THE CHAMBER
TELLING HIS CHILDREN
IT WILL BE ALRIGHT
A HOT SHOWER
A WARM MEAL

DID GOD FAIL THEM

OR THE HUNGRY
THROUGH OUT THE WORLD
IS GOD FAILING THEM

OR IS IT WE
WHO ARE THWARTING
GOD’S PLAN

DO NOT THE NEEDS
OF THE POOR
AND UNDERCLASS
HAVE PRIORITY
OVER THE WANTS
OF THE RICH
AND PRIVILEGED





ARE WE NOT TASKED
BY GOD’S PLAN
TO WORK FOR A WORLD
WHERE A MAN’S GREATEST WORRY
IS CHASING DEMONS
FROM UNDER THE BED


FRANK A VOLLMER

GOD BE IN OUR HEAD

GIFTS

PERHAPS AT BIRTH
OR AT CONCEPTION
FUSED INTO OUR BEING
BY OUR PARENT'S PASSION
THE GIFT OF WHO WE ARE
THE UNIQUE GIFT OF WHO WE ARE
DIFFERENT AS SNOWFLAKES
ALIKE LIKE SNOW
SHARING HUMANITY'S STORY
REACTING TO IT
BY THE USE
MISUSE
OR LACK OF USE
OF WHO WE ARE

TOGETHER
WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST
TOGETHER
WE ARE THE VESSEL OF HIS LOVE
WHICH GIVES US UNION
WHICH GIVES US FREEDOM
TO BE THE GIFT
OF WHO WE ARE
THAT UNIQUE PERSON
FORMED AT BIRTH
OR AT CONCEPTION
EACH ONE
SENT FORTH
WITH THESE WORDS

GO MY CHILD
IN YOU
I AM WELL PLEASED

Frank a vollmer

GIFTS (Romans 12:1-8)

GIFTS

PERHAPS AT BIRTH
OR AT CONCEPTION
FUSED INTO OUR BEING
BY OUR PARENT'S PASSION
THE GIFT OF WHO WE ARE
THE UNIQUE GIFT OF WHO WE ARE
DIFFERENT AS SNOWFLAKES
ALIKE LIKE SNOW
SHARING HUMANITY'S STORY
REACTING TO IT
BY THE USE
MISUSE
OR LACK OF USE
OF WHO WE ARE

TOGETHER
WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST
TOGETHER
WE ARE THE VESSEL OF HIS LOVE
WHICH GIVES US UNION
WHICH GIVES US FREEDOM
TO BE THE GIFT
OF WHO WE ARE
THAT UNIQUE PERSON
FORMED AT BIRTH
OR AT CONCEPTION
EACH ONE
SENT FORTH
WITH THESE WORDS

GO MY CHILD
IN YOU
I AM WELL PLEASED



Frank a vollmer