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My Jesus Can Whup Your Jesus!
By Gary Corseri





My Jesus is a personal God!
Your Jesus turns the other cheek.
My Jesus stands with the rich and strong.
Your Jesus sits with the poor and meek.

My Jesus comes with a mighty sword.
Your Jesus comes with a heavy cross.
My Jesus is the Son of the Lord.
Your Jesus is a virgin's baby.

My Jesus sits at the right hand of God.
Your Jesus sits at the right hand of lepers.
My Jesus speaks of right and wrong.
Your Jesus teaches with parables and in whispers.

Your Jesus revives the wavering spirit.
My Jesus steels Good Soldiers for glory.
Your Jesus walks in doubt in Gethsemane.
My Jesus doubts not, questions not, ultimate victory.

My Jesus communes with Falwell and Robertson.
Your Jesus inspires St. Theresa and King.
My Jesus says, Follow me or rot in hell!
Your Jesus sees life as a blossom opening.

My Jesus forged Constantine an empire of blood.
Your Jesus washed the feet of the dreamer from Assisi.
My Jesus routed the red man from the land of his fathers.
Your Jesus weeps for all lost humanity.

Your Jesus listens, mine commands.
Your Jesus seeks, mine points the way.
"The Kingdom of God is within you," yours says.
My guy says, "Obey, obey."

Gary Corseri has published two books of poetry and two novels. His work has appeared in Axis of Logic, The New York Times, Village Voice, Common Dreams, Redbook, Georgia Review and over 100 other publications. His plays have been produced on PBS-Atlanta and in five states. He recently edited the anthology, Manifestations.