expecting the truncheons
of the boys in blue
the disrupters in chief
we ambled on

a country lane
seemed worlds away
from the venom
the fury
of impending
nuclear armageddon

the element of surprise
to arrive
unannounced
and say prayers
circling a crucifer
a monk
clad in ash
at a backwoods gate

a walk to end all wars?
all crucifixions?

helpless
powerless
without venom
without fury
without nuclear armageddon
we ambled on

of course
they came
they always do
with their all-seeing eyes
then
rather limply
cross between our legs
we were escorted back
to a waiting van
and bundled in

Brize Norton
holy week
1989

Copyright ashyvicar November 2023