The Difference - (a poem by Grace Garner for Passion Sunday)

Dolly Jesus in the crib,

I don’t know how you sleep

In a new world of song and snores

And sweat and shit and sheep.

Painted Jesus on the wall,

With wide eyes, china-blue,

You look a little bit concussed –

I’m worried about you.

Iron Jesus on the cross,

I cannot understand

Or imagine being hung there

With nails through my hands.

Smiley Jesus in the pulpit,

So friendly and so kind –

Why don’t you ever leave the church?

Are you housebound and blind?

Real Jesus, I see you;

We have hung out before.

But what about all these phoneys,

Imposter Christs galore?

Is it so that, when I look

From wooden eyes that stare

To faces raw with tears and love,

I recognise you there?

Is it so that, when I am

With starkest pain brought low,

I see that Christ draws near to me

So I might touch and know?