Last Temptation

Lent 1 - Year C 

Luke 4:1-13

having graduated from

a last temptation

after great exercise of wisdom

through ages of learning 

and clarifying of purpose

this framed certificate

is not holding well

qualified to deal with

a last temptation

means exactly that

while it appears

excruciatingly clear

that a last temptation

is not a present temptation

some similarities can be found

a last temptation

is not entirely unique

but the emotional tug

between past and present

seems always weighted

to today’s temptation

a stoney loaf for dessert

a last temptation

was just a set up

to move from power over

to simply implicit power

with no time between

to rebalance awareness

at the time

a last temptation

seemed a big thing

its overcoming

worth stars in a crown

an angel delivered meal

and so much more

for now

a last temptation

is simply that

if anything it relaxes

attention

opening a way for

seven more to enter

successful defense of

a last temptation

opens more fronts

far from expected attack

not even dread came close

to anticipate vulnerabilities

untested

while grateful for

a last temptation

against which to hone

policies and procedures

it is not at all predictive

of unintended consequences

or unrecognized fault lines

so here we stand

a last temptation

passed and past

and proud

only to be schooled

again

and again

a never-ending story

of last temptations

for no reason

for quid pro quo

for proof of G*D

for ever and on

is our opportunity

treading wilderness

a first blessing

shows belovedness

connected with creation

shared in community

anticipated through compassion

regardless of any next temptation