Lazarus, of course,
is another story altogether.
Lazarus does not
engage my better self, nor interest me.
Drink twice from the same
wrong cup? Say the idiot boy falls down,
gets back up and falls
again - this is some great trick?
Our giddy crowd should swoon?
Does the first runner turn back to mock the lost?
And if he does, should we
praise him for his extravagant bad taste?
No. His sort will not
profit close attention. His story -
neither lawful nor
expedient. Tear your linens to winding cloth.
Wrap him once for all.
When you've finished with your napkin, bind his lips.
He has had his say.
Bury Lazarus as often as it takes.
Cairns, Scott. "The Translation of Raimundo Luz: My Incredulity" Upholding Mystery: An Anthology of Contemporary Christian Poetry. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. 319-320.
