Passion Play

(Good Friday Meditation)

“Surely it is not I, Surely it is not I”

“I have written what I have written.”

“I do not know, I do not know, I do not know him!”

“Crucify, crucify, crucify, crucify him.”

The Director halts this repetitive babble,

with his signature line:

“It is finished.”

The curtain rips and falls,

and the cast and crew

wonder if this is

the final act

of their careers. 

All the Kingdoms of the World

(Second temptation of Christ)

‘So here’s the deal and this is what you get:

The penthouse suite with world-commanding views,

The banker’s bonus and the private jet

Control and ownership of all the news

An ‘in’ to that exclusive one percent,

Who know the score, who really run the show

With interest on every penny lent 

And sweeteners for cronies in the know.

A straight arrangement between me and you

No hell below or heaven high above

You just admit it, and give me my due

And wake up from this foolish dream of love…’

But Jesus laughed, ‘You are not what you seem.

Love is the waking life, you are the dream.’

Malcolm Guite