Original Poem：
Sometime during eternity
some guys show up
and one of them
who shows up real late
is a kind of carpenter
from some square-type place
like Galilee
and he starts wailing
and claiming he is hip
to who made heaven
and earth
and that the cat
who really laid it on us
is his Dad
And moreover
he adds
It’s all writ down
on some scroll-type parchments
which some henchmen
leave lying around the Dead Sea somewheres
a long time ago
and which you won’t even find
for a coupla thousand years or so
or at least for
nineteen hundred and fortyseven
of them
to be exact
and even then
nobody really believes them
or me
for that matter
You’re hot
they tell him
And they cool him
They stretch him on the Tree to cool
And everybody after that
is always making models
of this Tree
with Him hung up
and always crooning His name
and calling Him to come down
and sit in
on their combo
as if he is
the
king cat
who’s got to blow
or they can’t quite make it
Only he don’t come down
from His Tree
Him just hang there
on His Tree
looking real Petered out
and real cool
and also
according to a roundup
of late world news
from the usual unreliable sources
real dead
Poem Explanation and Interpretation
This poem presents a modern and informal retelling of the story of Jesus Christ, using contemporary slang and a casual tone to describe a profound religious narrative. The poem begins by setting a vague timeframe—"sometime during eternity"—suggesting an event outside ordinary human history. It introduces a group of people arriving, focusing on one latecomer described as a carpenter from a humble place like Galilee. This figure claims to know the creator of the universe, whom he refers to as his "Dad."
The poem references ancient scrolls and parchments left near the Dead Sea, alluding to the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are real historical documents discovered in 1947. Despite these writings, the poem highlights skepticism—people do not believe the story or the speaker.
The narrative then shifts to the crucifixion ("They stretch him on the Tree to cool"), symbolizing Jesus’s execution on the cross. The "Tree" is a metaphor for the cross, and the poem notes how people afterward create models of this cross and sing his name, hoping for his presence and guidance, as if he were a "king cat" or a leader whose influence is essential.
However, the poem ends on a somber note, emphasizing that Jesus never "comes down" from the cross—he remains "real dead," according to "unreliable sources," which might hint at ongoing debates about faith, resurrection, and belief.
Background and Author Introduction
This poem is a contemporary reinterpretation of the Christian story, likely inspired by the Beat Generation or countercultural poetry styles that use vernacular language and irony to explore traditional themes. The use of slang like "king cat" and "hip" reflects a 20th-century American cultural influence.
The poem's author is not explicitly named here, but the style suggests someone who is both familiar with Christian narratives and interested in questioning or re-examining them through a modern lens. The poem’s tone mixes reverence with skepticism, inviting readers to think critically about faith, history, and belief systems.
Reflection and Insights
Reading this poem encourages us to consider how ancient stories are told and retold across generations, often changing in tone and meaning. It challenges the reader to think about faith and doubt, the power of storytelling, and how historical events become mythologized.
The poem also shows how language and cultural context influence our understanding of sacred narratives. By using casual, almost irreverent language, the poem makes the story of Jesus more accessible to a modern audience, while also highlighting the tension between belief and skepticism.
Educational Value and Learning Points for Children and Students
From this poem, children and students can learn:
- Historical and cultural context: Understanding the significance of places like Galilee and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
- Religious literacy: Gaining insight into the story of Jesus Christ and Christian symbolism such as the cross.
- Literary devices: Recognizing metaphors (the cross as "the Tree"), modern slang, and narrative voice.
- Critical thinking: Reflecting on how stories are interpreted differently depending on time and culture.
- Language skills: Expanding vocabulary with informal and idiomatic expressions.
Application in Life and Learning
- In literature classes: This poem can be used to explore how traditional stories are adapted in modern poetry.
- In history or religious studies: It provides a starting point to discuss the historical Jesus and the discovery of ancient texts.
- In language learning: The poem’s informal tone helps learners understand idiomatic English and slang.
- In personal reflection: Encourages students to think about belief, doubt, and how stories shape identity.
Reading Comprehension Exercises
- Who is the main character described in the poem?
- What is the significance of the "scroll-type parchments" mentioned?
- What does the "Tree" symbolize in the poem?
- Why do people keep making models of the Tree and calling the main character’s name?
- What is the tone of the poem towards the story it tells?
- What historical event does the poem refer to with the year 1947?
- How does the poem portray the relationship between belief and skepticism?
- What modern language or slang is used in the poem to describe the main character?
Answers
- The main character is a carpenter from Galilee, representing Jesus Christ.
- The "scroll-type parchments" refer to the Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient texts that contain religious writings.
- The "Tree" symbolizes the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
- People make models of the Tree and call his name to seek his presence and guidance, hoping for his help.
- The tone is informal, somewhat skeptical, mixing reverence with irony.
- The year 1947 refers to the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
- The poem shows that despite evidence or stories, many people doubt or do not believe.
- Slang such as "king cat," "hip," and "cool" is used to describe Jesus in a modern, informal way.
