by Kim M. Baker
if jesus had lived
had flown off the cross
like superman
just as the pharisees thought
she would be this
white hair
paunch
dark circles
under eyes alive
with social justice
and why
she would pick the scab
of uncertainty
from thin skin and grimace
when the phone rings
if jesus had lived
she’d laugh at methuselah
every time she blew out candles
from atop chocolate crazy cake
offering the first slice
to homeless joe
crave cheese and beef
and sneak the doll-sized
cosmetics from corporate
hotel rooms
for the needy down the street
around the globe
if jesus had lived
she’d wear purple and rage
at no health care reform
read mary oliver
to old ladies and golden retrievers
raise money and lower the boom
on hypocrisy
bring home the woes of those
we don’t know
find them safe space and dignity
and when god emailed
for a progress report
jesus would shake her Achilles head
wondering whether
two thousand years of being
human made enough difference
in anyone’s life
Kim M. Baker has been teaching writing in academe and business for 17 years. She currently is a writing coach at Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, RI. Also an advocate to end violence against women, Kim has performed in the Until the Violence Stops Festival Providence: 2008 and 2009. She has been published online and in print. Kim's first play was chosen for the Culture*Park Shorts Plays Marathon, New Bedford, MA, November 2009.
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