Post-It Notes from Jesus
Do not be comforted by outward signs.
The cross and the book.
A stone rolled back.
The echo of bombs in the distant desert.
Blood.
*****
Take no solace in men
who are righteous in word only.
Words are easy.
Demand good deeds.
Cry foul. Seek mercy.
*****
Spell tolerance and understanding
with the leftover letters
of hatred and misapprehension.
Kick your feet in the dust
as you wander.
*****
Don’t ask what another would do.
Bumper stickers are false prophets.
Don’t ask yourself what you should do
when you already know the answer.
Shut up and listen.
*****
Pick up a rag and a bone
and know humanity is mere
flesh. Let weakness
be your strength.
Sing loudly when you have reason.
Ann Walters lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two young daughters. Her poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in Poet Lore, Carousel, Poetry International, Other Poetry, Ballard Street Poetry Journal, and others.