by what authority

Pentecost +20 – Year A

by what authority
will you force a rock
to give up its water
to return to creation
and a separation
land from water

by what authority
will you force an audience
to hear old old old stories
miraculous in their day
even more so in ours
to reshape expectations

by what authority
will your force yourself
to be emptied of gifts given
and turn to others
even Jesus
to empty them

so soon the emptiness
the chaos the deep
falls and rises again
calling for utmost care
and diligent energy
binding will to work

by what authority
will you force a change
upon mind and belief
and move your yes to no
and no to yes
and all beyond both