The Next Step

Christmas and New Year past,
Jesus arrives again
to await that year’s crucifixion:

the repeated plot
to inveigle the spending of money,
or, if not, cast lots 
on whatever a prisoner has to lose. 

There need not be so much as a hanging, 
but judgment comes
as part of our day-to-day existence.

We proceed to death. 

And Easter? Well, what about it?
Will it bring us money?
A new shirt, perhaps?  A new Honey?

And that, you think, can possibly make you happy? 
Good God in Heaven! 

We gamble at the foot of the cross,
even as Jesus dies 
and are comforted, even satisfied, 
once we hear again: Christ has risen!

It’s so easy to return to traditions:
egg hunts on the White House lawn, 
fear and lost faith hidden. 

Life again cast adrift in the Spring.
Once again trees in blossom and sun,
the taking off of coats and the happy children children
behaving joyfully as kittens

while we adults worry: money and jobs 
and jobs and money:
the state of our marriage and health.

We have our faults, still have our pride, 
but larger-than-life anxiety. 

Where did Christmas go?
And what is the meaning of Xmas?
Have we X-ed Christ out?

Well, so it seems.  
And Easter. And Sunrise Service.
Parades only now about money.

Oh, Santa Clauses stand-ins with pots, 
each ringing bells
while never directly asking,
as once they did, 
becoming more silent every year.

Not even smiling.

Well, maybe they’re just too cold! 

We haven’t the time to think about death
We don’t even ask ourselves: Why?
We assume the answer: Not Worth It!
We can’t waste time… 
while complaints about loss of meaning
just weigh us down. 

Listen: Just for the helluvit, Wake Up! 
You are not yet dead!
Given the state of the world, death can’t be that bad!

And life is what we ourselves made!