The Michael Toy

Poems and Other Programmes


my easter hangover


what was that?

was that a flower parade floating by
trumpets and trombones announcing
the Triumphant Easter King
back from the Battle of Death

was that just forty days
of turning the crank 
on the wind up toy
with the tinny tinkling tune and
the pretend surprise
when the lid opens
and we sing
hallelujah indeed

this is the third stanza
where i am supposed to reveal
how i really see
who jesus was
and what the deal is
with easter
only i can't

this is all the easter i know
the jesus who used a coin
to confound the clever questioner
who reached down and lifted
his friend out of death
who fed five thousand
who screamed and yelled and trashed a temple
who stared down the devil in the desert
and rode a donkey into town
one day before an unhope-able day

that guy

is the one who breaks a loaf
and makes you realize
that it was not some dream
that it really is that day
and then vanishes
and that day is monday

Path: Theopoetics