This is a piece, less influenced by my reading of Malcolm Guite's Lent devotional, as a midweek conversation challenging my wishy-washy liberal take on current world affairs. I was also challenged this week by someone who questioned me bringing contemporary politics into, not only my poetry, but, God forbid, into my preaching. My response was to point to Palm Sunday and ask whether the account we have of the events of that day were not riddled with politics? Anyway... here's a politically flavoured poem for Palm Sunday before we go and wave our nice neat Palm Crosses (hopefully not produced in some developing world sweat shop) in our services this morning... (ps. The image chosen is Stanley Spencer's "Christ Overturning the Money Changers’ Table" (1921) in the Stanley Spencer Gallery, Cookham, England.
Overturning the tables, temporarily,
In our contemporary temple courts
Sending stock and money tumbling
And priests of mammon scurrying,
To make sure that the pious poor
Can still make the requisite sacrifices,
For uncertain returns on their devotion,
And appeasing their imperial masters.
But is this man Messiah or monster,
Upsetting the (unjust) status quo,
Bringing good news to the poor,
driving out, not only the moneymen,
But also the others who have
Taken away his followers’ sense
That they are a chosen people,
Destined to rule, united under God?
Or is he simply another showman,
Who gave in to the temptations
Of the lonely wilderness time,
Providing bread that will break
People’s teeth, seeking the prize
of peace, despite the price paid
by others, before a spectacular
Swan dive, awaiting angelic affirmation?
He lashes out with words and legislation,
To punish those who did not lay down
Their dignity, together with their
Metaphorical palm leaves and clothing,
On his less than dignified approach,
To this place of pillars and power.
The expected Messiah weeps over
Yet another city saying, “If only...”
Selah
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