Rabbi, we Gadarenes
Are not ascetics; we are fond of wealth and possessions.
Love, as you call it, we obviate by means
Of the planned release of aggressions.
We have deep faith in prosperity.
Soon, it is hoped, we will reach our full potential.
In the light of our gross product, the practice of charity
Is palpably inessential.
It is true that we go insane
That for no good reason we are possessed by devils;
That we suffer, despite the amenities which obtain
At all but the lowest levels.
We shall not, however, resign
Our trust in the high-heaped table and the full trough.
If you cannot cure us without destroying our swine,
We had rather you shoved off.
-- "Matthew VIII, 28 ff.", by Richard Wilbur
Hmmm. Who was better off, the "swineherds" (which is meant to be taken allegorically), or the demoniacs (which is meant to be taken literally, in a post-modern idiom)?
"... for no good reason we are possessed by devils"
Hmmm.
"If you cannot cure us without destroying our swine ..."
Hmmm.
How I love poetry. It says so much in so little.
This, along with "Advice to a Prophet" has always left me asking way more questions. Rather enjoyable, and Mr. Wilbur always gets to the heart of so much.
Posted by: coffeecatholic.wordpress.com | July 08, 2012 at 09:20 PM