THE BUTCHER

THE COMMANDANT
TO AMUSE HIS TROOPS
PROMISED THEM ENTERTAINMENT
THAT WOULD INCLUDE BETTING

HE HAD IN CAPTIVITY
A KOSHER BUTCHER
WHOSE ONLY CRIME WAS BEING JEWISH

HE SAID TO THE BUTCHER
I SET BEFORE YOU TWO PLANS

ONE
I WILL HAVE MY TROOPS
 RAVISH YOUR DAUGHTERS
THEN HANG THEM SLOWLY
FROM A TREE
AFTER WHICH
I SHALL SHOOT YOU

THE OTHER PLAN IS
SLAY YOUR DAUGHTERS
AS YOU WOULD SLAY THE PASCHAL LAMB
DRAIN THEM OF THEIR BLOOD
THEN I WILL SHOOT YOU

THE STORY HAS NO ENDING
EITHER WAY
EVIL IS TRIUMPHANT

WHAT WAS GOD’S PLAN FOR THE BUTCHER

DOES NOT THIS SERENDIPITOUS SAYING
BETRAY CHRISTIANS
WHO HIDE BEHIND CHURCH WALLS

WHAT GOD WANTS
IS  FRUITFUL VINEYARD WORKERS
WILLING TO WORK FOR THE GOOD OF ALL

NOT RELIGIOUS SLAVES
MOTIVATED ONLY BY SELF

NOT FOR CHURCHES
WHO WANT PRESERVATION
LIKE GERMAN CHURCHES
IN FACE OF HITLER

WHAT GOD WANTS
IS MEN LIKE BONHOEFFER

WILLING TO QUESTION
ALL THAT DOESN’T MATCH GOD’S PLAN

EITHER WAY THE BUTCHER IS DEAD
BUT THE SMELL OF BLOOD
IS DISTASTEFUL
TO GOD’S NOSE

FRANK A VOLLMER