| Creation
In Fostoria, Ohio, Jesus appeared
as rust spots
on the side of a soybean oil tank.
Crowds destroyed the lawn.
Families lined for miles in cars.
It was an exhibition
of the Christ, or, at least an image
of Christ as he is painted
by artists and people
who have not seen him, but have
the paint and grace to make him.
They did not know the plans
of several old men
who filled balloons with paint
and contrived to cover God's aging
face. No one knew
why they did this.
Locals attributed it
to young vandals. I knew
this was not true; the old
were to be held responsible.
Perhaps because of their crops
trampled, or roads clogged.
Perhaps it was the seventy eight
year old owner of those silos
who had his friends come over,
and kneeling, funnel cupped
in his hands, had his friends
pour red paint into balloons
that were used years ago
for different sacraments.
His wife watches
from her rocking chair. Not sure
what he's doing, she sighs
and returns to her understanding;
it is necessary at times like this
for her to make the world
into whatever she wants,
or needs it to be.
The old men, some veterans,
are transformed into soldiers
sliding through the thick night.
The sound of chanting
and prayer makes their job easy.
This is retribution,
their search for truth, and the test
of God’s lightning hand of love.
With the release of a rainbow
they gain their salvation.
They have realized how easy it is
to create a new religion.
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Scott Gallaway is a MFA student at
Wichita State University. His last three publications include Evansville Review, The
Lucid Stone and New Delta Review.
- Beauty for Ashes Poetry Review ©1996-2000
- ©A Creative Ash Publication 2000
- Isaiah 61:1-3
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