and so they stood ...
huddled in groups
waving white anything, wanting anything
but what they had, but what they have
wanting something, needing everything
the oppressors ...
still reigning over the oppressed
who remain behind doors and windows
waving unheeded white anything
wanting anything
but what they had, but what they have
needing something, needing more
and so they came ...
muddled in troops
waving white with red and blue,
needing anything
but what they have and why they have it
wanting more, needing more
the saviors?
with tanks and guns:
destroying the tyrants
appeasing the oppressors,
who cheer the victories
while the true oppressed,
remain behind doors and windows
waving unheeded white anything
wanting anything
but what they had, but what they have
needing something, needing more
and so they ran ...
befuddled - in groups
waving white nothing, wanting everything
but what they have, but what they will have
the tyrants ...
hiding behind masks
hiding anywhere, hiding everywhere
sliding into oblivion
seeking solace
behind large doors
behind large walls,
behind large egos;
and so they stand ...
strung out in troops
covering the land, lending a hand
the saviors?
of the oppressed
who oppress ~
taking everything for nothing
giving nothing for anything
and terror reigns ...
while the oppressed of the oppressed
wait behind doors
and windows
waving unheeded white anything
wanting anything
but what they had, but what they have
needing something, needing more ...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
On the third day he arose,
From thence He shall come
to judge the quick and the dead:
Lest we forget ...
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Author notes
The earliest meaning of the word “quick” in English is “alive.” When a baby was first felt to move in its mother’s womb it was considered to have come to life, and this moment was called “quickening.” This original meaning of the word “quick” has now died out except in the phrase “the quick and the dead,” kept alive by the King James translation of Acts 10:42, which speaks of Jesus as judge “of quick and dead,” but even more by the continued recitation of the Apostles’ Creed, which says of Jesus that “he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.”
The Gnostics considered that what men needed was not forgiveness, but enlightenment. Ignorance, not sin, was the problem. Some of them, believing the body to be a snare and delusion, led lives of great asceticism. Others, believing the body to be quite separate from the soul, held that it did not matter what the body did, since it was completely foul anyway, and its actions had no effect on the soul. They accordingly led lives that were not ascetic at all. Either way, the notion of forgiveness was alien to them.
“The passion of Christ was, if not for all, especially for the suffering masses who we cannot render unto Caesar. Well, not with a Christian guilt-free conscience.” quoted by: Wiseman
A contest entry
- # 63 A poem about Easter. You may write to the graphic. by Lyndon.
4500 points, ended April 9, 2008, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
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Comments
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I was left in tears reading this gem. The repetition of phrases and words throughout this poem increased its momentum, building and building until the STOP. And then the reminder... Your last three lines outlining clarity in chaos.
How easily we forget...
I loved your author's notes as well. I learned some new things about "quick" and about "forgiveness".
Simply a sensational entry to this contest. Thank you. Best of luck in the judging. ~Pamela
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Amen sister! I've recently found that the tyrany of poverty is just as harsh and real as the tyrany of policy. Freedom's just another word for 'nothing' left to lose. You have those little gears aturnin' in my brain this morning. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Leo Long
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