+ 27.225 MHz: From An Old Philosopher In Laodicea

This document John wrote on the bleak isle

called Patmos bears a most unusual Greek

grammar; or, if you choose, it is the style

of an old, foreign man trying to speak

in words that are, to say the least, astounding

(and to those of us outside, quite confounding).

Called an apocalypse or revelation

that Christ sent to his servants---whose salvation

he died to settle (safe, too, from damnation)---

to give to them assured serenity

that, raptured, they will watch his victory

over some evil one's hegemony

upon the earth and human history.

 

I do not care much for the mystery

of faith.  I do not think it calls to me.

I follow my own soul's philosophy.

 

Starward

Author's Notes/Comments: 

Lest the reader misunderstand, the speaker's doubt is not mine; I take the Revelation, and all of Scripture, as literally true.  I wanted to present a so-called 1st century intellectual's response to that particular book.  The old philosopher's home town, in the title, is not coincidental.  I also hope the title will be an allusive echo of the title of Wallace Stevens' poem, "To An Old Philosopher In Rome."

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