gateway

Jesus
commanded
and the sea went still
and
we were told to love

excoriation
of the leaders
for
white-washing over
insides
to revile

these aren’t suggestions
and
they got him into trouble
and we can’t quiet
the sea though we can
paint
white over

and leave that direction like
a participle dangling for those preferring
being
cruel in school
and then
you know
the school of life
in
which we teach by example how
to cheat
and how to cover
rather
than ‘fess up

‘til we get
to
the day when
cheating
is
so normal that the coating of it
isn’t needed

then in this world that
marching order
stands
and
how to love in such a devious place
in such a future world
yet
how about
now

to follow and initiate
hear and
serve
the mandatum of the Lord
then what
about the promise of the gates
of hell
for those who stand behind them
waiting
also demanding payment
from
the landlord

before learning the gold is fake
and only found for true
inside the flesh
or
wherever
soul resides
which could be on
either side
if only
one side shall prevail

as the gates fall
with
victory and sorrow for
God’s
winning side that
triumphs
also
weeps because of all the other side
that might be
lost
and will
be lost

c l couch

photo by Frederick Wallace on Unsplash
“As it looked on the 60th anniversary of liberation on January 28th, 2005.”
Oswiecim, Poland

Matthew 8:23-27, Jesus and the storm (Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25)
Matthew 16:18, Jesus and the gates of hell
John 13:34, Jesus and the new commandment (which is not new but newly given)