All the Kingdoms of the World (Copy)

Today’s poem comes from Anglican priest, poet, and the closest thing to a Hobbit that exists in real life (look him up) Malcolm Guite. In this sonnet, Rev. Guite draws inspiration from Jesus’ second temptation in the wilderness.

“Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,

    and serve only him.’”

-Luke 4:5-8

All the kingdoms of the world

‘So here’s the deal and this is what you get:

The penthouse suite with world-commanding views,

The banker’s bonus and the private jet,

Control and ownership of all the news,

An “in” to that exclusive one percent,

Who know the score, who really run the show,

With interest on every penny lent

And sweeteners for cronies in the know.

A straight arrangement between me and you,

No hell below or heaven high above,

You just admit it, and give me my due

And wake up from this foolish dream of love…’

But Jesus laughed, ‘You are not what you seem.

Love is the waking life, you are the dream.

Rev. Ryan Young