Same Old Song (Poetry)

I’m repeating and repeating
like the button has been set
to churn out a hundred copies
just in case I might forget
to pray to one who likely
just turns a stone-deaf ear
to questions I’ve been sending him
about this time of year —

                        What use is all this living
                        when so few are keen to learn
                        that the pleasure is in giving
                        and expecting no return?

I’m undoing and undoing
every ‘truth’ that I’ve been told
deep inbetween the threads I’ve found
lost wisdom rare and old
so again I ask a question
and it comes as no surprise
the silence cannot answer
why the innocent man dies

                        And why does man keep fighting
                        when we’re told ‘Thou shalt not kill’?
                        but the warlords overrule it
                        and it’s clear they always will

I’m reviewing and reviewing
all the stories that I know
about a man called Jesus
born so very long ago
and I wish that I could ask him
why he lets men use his name
crusading to convert or crush —
to murder and to maim

                        Who can be judged worth saving? —
                        And would he do the same again
                        when our history is repeating
                        the cruel deeds of wicked men?

Our once-pagan Winter Solstice
dark ceremonies past recall
is now Christmas with its message
‘Peace on Earth’ (God help us all)
And so every year the same old song
joined in by rich and poor
fails to lift His spirit much —
He’s heard it all before