Minnesota

mysticism has always been at war with itself. I think.

If Jesus lived in Minnesota

I think he would throw snowballs.

Before the priests and magistrates

got to him and created their power

and our religion, 

I think he would have had fun plunking 

his disciples with balls of snow.

He would have enjoyed the sound of them

hitting backs and chests.

He then would have shook his finger playfully

at them as they got mischievous grins

and bent down to scoop snow and

form it, all 12 aiming, firing simultaneously.

He would have flung his hands out, fingers extended, face turned towards the sky in mock agony

as he was pummeled by a hail of snowballs.

He, and they, would then have collapsed 

on the snow banks in uncontrollable glee.

Before he'd been carried away to create a religion

My faith tells me Jesus was first about fun.

For if there is no fun, there really is no life,

and then the only reason for religion; control.

Reviews

[Dara]

I love this poem and image of Jesus. I was also raised in Minnesota so it has a personal appeal for me. So glad I came across this wonderful write! I have a image of Jesus laughing that this poem reminds me of also. Would you like to see it sometime?

[bob, small b. aka invs]

i love the image of jesus and the twelve having a snowball fight in minnesota. i can see it clearly in my head. robes flowing. galoshes on their feet. ear muffs. i don't know that jesus was about fun, but i do love the image it brings. this poem certainly was fun.

[TL Boehm]

I think so too! I think Jesus understood the light hearted things as well as the heavy. This is a stellar write.

[K.N. Lorenzen]

Jesus in snow. In a snowball-fight! What a collision of associations!! The exact opposite of the usual dusty soil of Judea, and the far-from-playful tone of the Gospels.
I very much enjoyed reading this curious story of yours :)
The ending line is certainly not very poetic, but the message is accurate, pure and timeless!

Thank you for posting!

K.

[Mark]

Thank you for reading. :) Can you explain what bothers you about the ending? too preachy?

[K.N. Lorenzen]

Well.. I really loved the flow of the language, the magical atmosphere and warmth in your depiction of the scene. I think you could have come across with the same message more elegantly and subtly, by maintaining the same tone. I had a very strong notion of the message throughout the poem. I don't think it was necessary to rise above it, and point out, what religion "shouldn't" be about. I think it says enough, in its warmth and innocence, by saying what religion "should" be about. It's all there, I think! That's the beauty of its nature. So, preachy? I think "over-stated" is more accurate. If I ever have children, I would like this kind of storytelling, to be their introduction to christianity.

[Mark]

Thanks. ; )

[eglantine]

I agree with K.N. Very unique perspective.

[icelandicblue]

It sounds like pure joy and that I have always believed is the true message. I like the backdrop of this, like the song says, What if God was one of us? just a slob like one of us?...

I like the visuals and sentiments of this poem.

[Mark]

Yes! I love that song, though I hadn't been thinking of it when I wrote this. I think Jesus was all about loving and helping and having a good time with anyone he was with. :) Thanks for reading.

[LadyAnn68]

AS a woman from Minnesota I would have to agree with your depiction of this well written philosophy. I think you should have said something about Minnesota's white beauty! For the one thing that state has is its white glory of God. I liked though and would have loved throwing a FUN snowball at him myself!

[Mark]

I happened to be in the Twin Cities and it was snowing pretty good when I saw a picture of some nuns tossing snowballs. It sparked the idea for the poem and Minnesota just seemed to fit, climatically and poetically. :) Thanks for reading.

[LadyAnn68]

I will always read things about Minnesota...I found my "second chance" there! I got educated and earned my independence as well as got rid of my cancer! All in Minnesota in the freeze!

[Mark]

No other big city can boast of a population that is so polite. I love visiting there, as long as I'm not having to drive during commute hours. :P

[LadyAnn68]

Exactly...this is so true!

[Mockingbird]

i agree with you. he was a man with human emotions, too. this is an elucidating poem, a different view than that of gloom and doom. thank you.

[Mark]

Thank you, I hope I made you smile. :)

[Jeremy Baker]

Completely agree with Leslie's analysis. Wry humour at its finest; one cannot but grin whilst reading and picturing what the real Jesus must have been like. Excellent writing!

[Mark]

Thank you very much :)

[Leslie Philibert]

This is a really brillant poem, and one of the best Mark has written. Original, clever, full of dry humour but wise too...religion should be about life, about fun, about energy....very very good.

[Mark]

Thank you for reading Leslie, and the wonderful review.

[Blue Ivory]

I'm picturing Jesus making snow angels and smiling at the irony. Wow this was such a new perspective! I would have never thought of this! Great work :) Always a pleasure seeing what you have to say. What inspired you for this, though?

[Mark]

A picture of a nun pelting another nun with a snowball.lol LOVE the Jesus making saw angel image!

[Blue Ivory]

I know right? xD