springs gush from the rocks

a soldier has opened His side

our religion has come to this

Christ is in the mountains.

Good Friday into Saturday

altar boys kept vigil

stony quiet of the box

flung open and left empty

where would He return?

Giddy Easter morning

we rode the bell rope up

opened surplice parachutes

He had come back everywhere

we'd find Him in the mountains.

Now holy places are attacked

mountains decapitated

people stripped of self-control

craving for riches and power

leaving our country poorer.

He cried "Father, forgive them

for they know not what they do"

He must have meant the soldier

not the general or CEO

defacing the image of God

for their religion of cash

like the Taliban whose jealousy

directed high-tech weapons

at ancient standing Buddhas.

- Hugh Rogers