CHRIST-BLASTED BUSHWHACK

WHACK, WHACK, WHACK,

GO THE DRUM STICKS BEATING

ON THE BACK OF CHURCH PEWS

CELEBRATING YOUR MOTHER'S

GRADUATION GIFT TO YOU--

A PLANE TICKET TO SEE

YOUR DAD IN EL SALVADOR

            --for J. S. M.

Yesterday I made a list

of books, movies and poems

for you to read before

you travel to be with your Dad--

crossing them out immediately--

My God man, this young woman

was just accepted to study

at the University of Washington!

She wore more colors for honors

than you can find in the rainbow!

My daughter told me about you

when you were in Kindergarten,

with stories of your walk

through it all with that smile

that comes from your mother.

Big stuff. Crucible stuff.

El Salvador, birthplace of  God

liberating people, sets a high standard

for the rest of us. Let me point

to just one: a small Lutheran church

called Resurrección, composed

of ex-combatants from the guerra civil,

led by Obispo Medardo Gómez.

In the back against a side wall,

look for La Cruz Subversiva,

two boards painted white,

signed by campesinos. This

cross went to prison

for the sins of state

against the people. You're free.

You'll understand on contact.

Finish Magna Cum Laude at the U.

Jim Bodeen

17 June 2017

P.S. Love from us. See me about that list of books

before you leave. Jim

*

THE HELICOPTER FROM THE MIDNIGHT SKY

NEAR THE RIO BRAVO WITH ITS LIGHTS ON

AND SWOOPING LOW, DISPLAYS A BANNER

FOR CITIZENS OF TWO COUNTRIES

            --for F. L.

Not many get these, ciudadano.

But not many graduate from community college

during the same time they spend in high school.

How in God's name did you do this?

You didn't give many clues

backpacking to Holden Lake,

you just kept crossing off switchbacks.

OK, OK, there's more to life

than climbing mountains.

Your Mom taught you salsa dancing,

is that right? Like soccer,

this is the world's dance for good reason.

You're good with questions.

You get me talking. This past year

all those meetings with Lutherans

looking for someone wearing

God's collar for people like us

who could tell a good story.

Did we find the right one?

Not our call. That one goes

to God. We told some stories

during drives to and from,

you laughing, me cursing,

God listening in. Fuming

last night at the news,

a friend sends a poem, giving me

what this poem needs: Unless

you have a crucified God,

you don't have a big enough God.

Do you say, Amen, to that, Francisco?

That Whup, whup, whup of chopper blades?

¿La migra? No. Jesus coming to get us both.

Jim Bodeen

17 June 2017

P.S. Love from Karen and I.

Have a blast at the U.

You know your God is big enough.

*

FOR M. S. BETWEEN TIMES

FOLLOWING GRADUATION FROM ZILLAH HIGH SCHOOL,

A CONGRATULATIONS AND A THANK YOU

When I miss you during worship

you appear in that quiet way

that serves as your signature,

surprising me again, with words,

I was in the choir loft, praying.

With that kind of courage,

you pass every test any teacher

could dream up. Suppose dreams

only come from prayers rising

from empty choir lofts!

I was in the pew

surrounded by La Raza,

our people singing,

empty myself, scouring

words for enough

to carry me through lunch,

nothing more than that.

Your words, Hey Jim!

crossing out every no,

bushwhack me back to yes.

P.S. Work and pray. Have a blast.

Jim Bodeen

17 June 2017