A Shepherd Tied to a Fence and Left to Die

Glory and blessed be His name,

- exalted and most holy (my hungry executioner and tyrant speaks)

Hallelujah! Praise be!

whisperings in the wind, in our neighborhoods and in the churches –

and on the cable news…the cross is on fire (and it’s furious)

A fishing pole is unnecessary when there is a net –

I’m caught in it [Hallelujah and Amen!] – and struggling –

and flailing – I reach for his hand, and he is flailing too –

I love him – and he is flailing too –

drowning in gavels pounding and tongues wagging -

upon the judgement rocks we land

- still bound and unmoving in nets

- covered in rotting fish & prayers [with arms raised high into the air]

A rainbow presents itself, magnificent in the sky [the world will not drown] –

[and I know He is with me - Hallelujah & with lifted hands towards the Son]

A rainbow presents itself, magnificent in the sky –

and for a moment, we are safe

[at home, a severed horse head awaits us in our bed]

Most high and Heavenly Father – I fall before you –

[his hand remains in mine – and I will not drop it – as he does not drop mine]

humble and trembling – I fear you Heavenly Father –

[a pink triangle (now) covers and hides us from the Nazis]

I am not worthy! My voice and my body and my soul for you, oh God!

[he says my name with red words and love falls beautifully from his lips]

Take me into your arms oh Lord – I sacrifice – I sacrifice

pitchforks in hand and with torches blazing

Let me fear you, oh God, with your abundant love and blessings –

So I might be saved from the fiery pits of Hell…

[with wooden matches, he and I light a red candle –

the wax bleeds down the pillar and I am overwhelmed by the immense joy that permeates the room]

“I love him – I love him – let me love him – let me love him…”

..and, somehow, it is up to you to decide

One cannot be both the lion and the lamb –

the roaring lion of wrath – with sword in hand [Hallelujah!]–

and the lamb, saying “baa baa” and following the herd –

One cannot be both the lion and the lamb

he kisses me gently and sweetly- and I taste the honey on his lips

he kisses me gently and lovingly – and I fall, willingly, into his sanctuary

his whole everything is sunlight – his whole everything is sunlight

he is clad in cotton-polyester pants (handsome) – Mars and Mars

we have shrimp in the freezer

[18:19, 20:18 – she bleeds and sits alone in the pew]

[Venus hides behind the clouds – with patriarchy celebrating]

he has tattoos, as I do –

[“Vengeance is mine!”, saith the Lord]

…we have shrimp in the freezer

his smile is a sunflower in the desert – his smile is a sunflower in the desert

[Hallelujah! – and blessed be His name on high]

Red roses greet me at the door – as the short fuse is lit & carried down the street

Anniversary flames flicker upon our dining room walls brilliantly – pitchforks and shovels and fire torches

[don’t trust the talking animal in the wardrobe!]

Our dogs bark, as they hear sounds out the window - prayers and the Lord’s wrath and the Bible held high in the air

he looks at me worried [we hear glass shatter from another room] – Hallelujah! Praise Be! Glory to Jesus – victory be His name!

Pitchforks and shovels

Pitchforks and shovels

And fire torches

[there are too many of them]

Pitchforks and shovels

Pitchforks and shovels

And fire torches

Photo: Jimmy Broccoli.