At times there are more than twelve of us.
Our conversations flow over the hills
like ryegrass and hyssop, strong fragrances
lofting down into the small harbor village
where later we will gather in a candlelit
room, the smell of sweat and sawdust,
the grime of worn sandals and sun-beaten robes.
Crumbs of barley bread and broiled fish
slipping through our oil-greased fingers.
We are joyful travelers, we disciples.
And before the morning dew is gone, we will gather
two by two among the olive trees,
encouraging each other towards an end
that seems around the next turn of road,
a grand city awaiting with trumpets and stallions.
We imagine statesmen greeting us
with tributes and questions. We smile
and often sprint towards nothing in particular.
These are the most carefree times of our lives, until
our Lord pulls us aside, "You will work hard for Heaven
and in the end will realize it started here
with conversations flowing over the hills
like strong fragrances lofting into harbor villages."
Author notes
I believe the gospel of Thomas was rejected from canon for a reason... so I decided to focus on the relationship Jesus must have had with his disciples instead.
18. 'The disciples said to Jesus, "Tell us, how will our end come?"
A contest entry
- Quote Interpretation ~ The Gospel of Thomas by aslanlight.
475 points, ended June 20, 2008, 5 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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Beautiful.
Mylee -
Yes the reason the gospel of Thomas was rejected from Canon is that the compilers decided that they'd dictate what the people could or couldn't read and anything that might threaten the way they interpreted things was excluded! The early Christians read it.
Your poem's absolutely brilliant! You created such an atmosphere that I feel as though I'd like to be there with the disciples right now; though I suppose I am. You're a marvel with a pen!
Peace Georgia
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Spectacular!
I loved how you carried this image from the beginning and then recapped it at the end, very nicely done! "conversations flowing over the hills
like strong fragrances lofting into harbor villages." An excellent tribute to one of the greatest teachers of humanity ever to live. I really enjoyed the carefree wonder this line evokes: "We smile
and often sprint towards nothing in particular."
Wonderful write, keep your pen to the page and good luck in the contest! -
"Oh Lord, teach us to walk on water-
Act of no actual service to any man
But Terribly grand for the self esteem
Please don't ask us to feed the multitude
Crumbs would catch in our trouser cuffs
And our hands would constantly smell of fish
Auth unknown
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