Edward Steinhardt - Graven Images

Forgive us Lord for the graven image.
We had them before Baal,
Ashtoreth, the golden calf.
Thy agonizing likeness
Dangles in the valley of our hearts:
The crucifix with Thy body on it-
And without it.
Forgive our plaster-of-paris likeness
Of Thee which populates the common yard;
The churches- we are careful in this,
That Thy semblance be kept
In copyright,
That no man doubt for a second
What Thee really looked like.

We do believe Thou are not found
Within the reach of these-
That Thy Spirit does not light
The Christmas Nativity sold by Sears-
Now back in the public square.
Pray, take our graven images
To be humble homages.

Edward Steinhardt

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