Truth Tastes Like Freedom.wmv
Channel: RevWik
Date: 02/06/2011

Written in response to the Friars and a Fool Theological Poetry Slam(http://twofriarsandafool.com/)  ["Two Friars and a Fool invites you to join us for our first ever Theological Poetry Slam. We want to see you on our computer screen dropping rhymes and stirring souls with your own theological word art. We are celebrating Pentecost, so send us your poetry about the Holy Spirit, Fire, Inspiration, Tongues, Wind, and anything else that fits with this season."]


TRUTH TASTES LIKE FREEDOM:  A PENTECOST SLAM
An E-Walker Slam


I am a preacher,
A teacher,
A reacher for syllables
And symbols.
And since I make my living with my words
I want my words to make a difference
In the living of peoples' lives.
 
I want 'em to break out in hives,
Or goosebumps at least.
Not just sit in their seats, saying,
 "Nice, ah, sermon, Pastor."

That, ah, hasta be the last thing
I want to hear people say.
"Nice" is so "safe."
 
It comes from a place of comfortably
—dare  I say it?—
complacent
contentment.
 
I tell you that words once had power
When not locked in that hour.
 
I think of that day --
What's the Book of Acts say? --
Tongues of Fire descended;
The barriers were rended
Each heard the word
In their own native way.

And that is to say 
This isn't a paean to community;
Some celebration of Unity.

Cacophony reigned.
Any commonness, feigned.

Parthians, Elamites, 
Mesopotamians and Phrygians -- 
Still couldn't understand each other.
But they did hear the Truth 
As if sisters and brothers (and all kinds of kin).
Each still unique, yet united within.

"Oceans have many names,"
The Buddha once said,
"But they all taste like salt."

So is it our fault
That today we play games with the names
And waste the taste
That could nourish us all?

Love is not limited;
not bound by our primitive conceptions,
The deception 
Of separateness.
Alienation.

We are one nation, this world,
A möbius curled in and around
On itself.

Not books on a shelf;
One volume.
Translated,
Restated -- 

The taste of Truth is "Freedom."

So how do you hear this word?
How do I?
Don't get stuck in the "why" or the "how"
Just listen.
Now.

The flames, they still flicker.
The summons still sounding
Despite difference abounding.
Or, perhaps, it's because.

Many people; one love.

Truth tastes like freedom.



© 6-2-2011 by Erik Walker Wikstrom