BEFORE THE GREAT REFUSAL

WHAT HE FOUND OUT ON THE WAY

Born to an earlier tradition

in an isolated land, and orphaned,

he was raised by those following Christ,

Jesus people, really, if that could be said,

those who were isolated and exiled themselves.

They did not know the child.

They did not know his earlier life,

or the tradition of the people

he came from. He felt at ease

in belonging to remnants.

He attached himself to the discipline of the poem.

He apprenticed himself to a life with scripture.
With words brought forth from the world.

He believed Jesus to be his brother

and he believed Jesus understood.

He didn’t think he was Jesus believing this.

Neither was he at odds over what they said about Jesus.

The poem, too, was immortal,

and he could not hide his otherness.

Jim Bodeen

24 October 2013

REQUIREMENTS OF THANKSGIVING AND JOY

When they surround themselves with God

the door opens for the poem.

When they surround themselves with poems

the door opens for God.

Jim Bodeen

17 October 2013

WHAT I DON’T KNOW ABOUT POETRY IS SO IMMENSE

Reading the poets, their lives

as well as their poems. Reading

back to front as well as front to back.

I am humbled by witness and way.

The discipline humbles me.

I am drawn, too, by its requisite

lack of discipline. Again and again.
Side by side with the wild.

I bow before the great refusal.

I bow to its silent way.

Silent before its great no.

Silent before the great refusal.

Jim Bodeen

16 October 2013