Monthly Archives: December 2009
Christmas 2005 (remembered)
Earliest memories – red, green, and blue
present unwrapping – and mother asking you
‘please be with us this Christmas – and those who don’t know you
Thank you for this morning – may this song honor you’…
Earliest morning – of our whole year
santa and a carpenter’s son – and fear
fear of not getting what I wanted – then not having what we need
fear of being forgotten – fear of unforgettable greed
I’m here waiting – where are you?
Is mother with you saying – ‘I know the boy’s faith is true’
I’m in shambles – no money for a tree
There’s no room in the inn – would you save a place for me?
The time has come for going – Christmas smiles are showing
’till the time comes for knowing – I hope faith, hope and love keep growing
unfinished like always – and maybe this way is better
December songs are showcased – and keep spinning in this weather
~wwb
Coffee 2009
Death in Uganda again this Christmas
and all in Jesus’ name
maybe Museveni, Ssempa
and Kony are the same
Young men hiding in their homes
from terrorists attacks
are we too progressive to notice
now that our president is black?
We’ll just say its not about us
we have our own niggers to save
our own fags to argue over
let them dig their early graves
But if it’s really not about us
if there’s purpose beyond ourselves
then its calling us to do more
than choose fair-trade from the shelf
About four years ago I wrote something called Coffee. It was also about this time of year. It also had to do with events impacting Uganda. When I feel powerless and impotent in the face of evil or injustice this is what I do. I pray. Its a prayer. Its an angry prayer. But it is a prayer nonetheless. Its a prayer for justice and in some ways a prayer of confession. I invite you to join me in it.
~wwb
ps I think it goes without saying but the racial and homophobic epithets are caricatures of voices I hear in the American church and broader culture
depression’s sisters
depression she is persuasive
depression she is my muse
and lately she dances daily
but she insists on bringing you
your two narratives pervasive
your two narratives untrue
live to be the greatest
or fated worthless in all i do
i don’t mind her intrusion
i don’t mind the rosy hue
or blushing with profusion
as she casts shame on all i do
but sister superbia you are not welcomed
sister acedia leave me too
gloria and ira left with avarice
and then there were only two
depression brings inspiration
depression she is my muse
but her sisters present distraction
and obscure her from my view
~wwb
coulda woulda shoulda
today was supposed to be different
today was supposed to be good
greeted the morning with possibilities
and laid my head down in shoulds
today was supposed to be better
how did it get so far away?
today has just left me fettered
to the guilt of yesterday
~wwb
