Good Friday Sermon
April 22, 2011
“a hot, swampy vernal day”
* Reuban’s favorite sermon
Gospel:
“A Threat”
By poet and machinist Fred Voss
From The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry
A Threat
My fellow workers and I
operate machines that cut steel blocks.
As the machines cut the steel,
my fellow workers like to stare and laugh at each other.
They are ready to piss on each other’s graves.
They fear me.
They call me crazy.
They don’t like the poetry I read.
They don’t like the paintings I have hung
on the board behind my machine.
They look at me
like they want to cut my balls off.
Tomorrow I think I will start bringing roses to work.
Each day I will stand a rose in a jar of water
on the workbench behind my machine.
I want to really terrify my fellow workers
this time.
Sermon:
Brothers and sisters, on this mortal coil, the Universe will often task us to beautify or adorn our paths along the way. Do not be bashful or terrified of this bidding for tyranny + hatred run deep in the youthful hearts of the wretchid. Though often we may feel crippled and powerless against it, our counterattack can be manifest in art and beauty. It’s said that the best lack all conviction and the worst are full of passion and intensity. Go forth art soldiers. Prove them wrong.