Knopf posted this John Updike poem as the final installment of their "Poem-a-Day" feature for poetry month. Was Updike a Christian? I don't know anything about his personal life or beliefs. Decide for yourself.
Fine Point (12/22/08)
Why go to Sunday school, though surlily,
and not believe a bit of what was taught?
The desert shepherds in their scratchy robes
undoubtedly existed, and Israel's defeats—
the Temple in its sacredness destroyed
by Babylon and Rome. Yet Jews kept faith
and passed the prayers, the crabbed rites,
from table to table as Christians mocked.
We mocked, but took. The timbrel creed of praise
gives spirit to the daily; blood tinges lips.
The tongue reposes in papyrus pleas,
saying, Surely—magnificent, that "surely"—
goodness and mercy shall follow me all
the days of my life, my life, forever.
By the way, I got the poem from Rosemary, who also sends the following thoughts, under the heading "Things that annoy me:"
Today's NYT has a quote from a Republican woman upset that Alen Specter switched parties, saying "We're a Christian family with Christian values". How can I be a Presbyterian and NOT be a Christian with people like that? Oh, well...or maybe I should say, Oy vey!
1 comments:
Regarding Specter: If I found myself heading down a troublesome road, I would switch to another one too.
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