They say that in the Holy Land so very far away
there really are SAMARITANS, who to the present day
at Eastertide or then abouts ..but wait! Who comes our way?
Some long-haired Wanderer, I've guessed,
but let US listen for a JESt to what HE has to say!
"My names are one and many,to some I was JIM CROW.
'GOOD AFRICAN" is what you'll write if you should choose to know."
"My name was Sean O'Hara, your NEIGHBOR from the FALLs.
GOOD MAN, put down that rifle before the thing reCOILS."
"My name is Isaac Mandelbaum, your face I mark it true.
It is most clear that you should write quite simply ''THE GOOD JEW'."
You are an actor, I perceive, but me you'll not take in.
To change the words of Holy Writ would be a grievous sin.
I'm sure it says SAMARITAN in the bible on my shelf,
but if you do not believe me Sir, go read the text yourself.
Categories:
samaritans, christian, easter, ireland, jesus,
Form: Dramatic Monologue
Once, when I got off the bus
in the African rain,
I was greeted by hailstones
And deafening thunders!
New to the land,
and hardly prepared
for such a turn of weather,
I was shivering all over.
My teeth started chattering,
Beating a wild rhythm!
Nearly frozen, I shuddered.
Suddenly, a gate behind opened
And a friendly hand stretched out.
A son of the soil,
A total stranger, greeted me
And pulled me into his house.
He handed me a dry towel and some warm clothes.
Now I felt comfortable, though the clothes
were embarrassingly oversized,
which no one around seemed to mind, anyway!
His wife, in the meantime,
came up with a tray of hot cakes
And a pot of very hot tea.
Ah, Good Samaritans!
***
Categories:
samaritans, happy, heart,
Form: Free verse
Joanna Davis
How much are you… willing to give?
Lay down your life so they may live.
In this cold world when passions flame
burns so bight beneath your name.
I still believe in what your said…
that time will come in days ahead
when love and hope will rule the day
Hate is forced to run away.
I look for your face, you hold my hand
Give me the grace to understand
Tell me now, what I should do?
Strength of will to see it through
Justice cowers, forced to hide
Too afraid to step outside
Could you stand firm of foot and say
I'll not let fear get in my way?
When a cold white world freezes the truth
Stillborn’s the child and stunts the youth?
Justice is blind, for if she saw,
She’d cry her eyes till they were raw.
I know you not; you know me less
With broken bone do I confess
Sightless eyes feel the pain,
of ruptured heats and punctured vain.
Sole less; heatless, skeletal, carcass.
Statue standing, arms erect
Belches out the crown’s reject.
Justice tight shuts her sight from view
With all that blood...well wouldn’t you?
Categories:
samaritans, angst, brother, fantasy, hope,
Form: Rondeau Redouble
It’s 9:03 am, where’s my breakfast
Oh, I have to get it myself
Not that hungry I suppose
Apathetic morning half-tones
No shuffling, straight upright
Swaying, fighting off figures
Feel chained up like Kracken
Absurd loneliness, never by myself
Poor Prometheus; poor, poor, Prometheus
He could never keep his breakfast down
Every morning robbed of the feeling
Of being full, of being useful, alone
In stone hands men pray
Eyes wide shut, breath rapid
Pose questions of why and when
Accept it, unchangeable dilemma
Categories:
samaritans, morning,
Form: Free verse