OLIVE TREE

On a little knoll behind the church
in clear view of the congregation
stands an olive tree deliberately
planted to remind us of tragedy
and loss and suffering to redeem
not just those who sit in wonder
at the miracle of love and grace
freely given but the whole world.

The olive branch of peace doesn’t
deliver anywhere what it promises.
Take a look through history’s pages
and find that revolutions and wars
and pogroms and holocausts come
on and on with deliberate speed
while peace is slow to develop
with or without the requisite dove.

The problem of children suffering
who’ve had no time to learn sin
isn’t answered by an olive tree
on a special mount in Jerusalem
or behind a church anywhere.
No litany or hymn of repentance
lead by priest or lifted up by choir
explains why God allows their pain.

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