" Philemon and Baucis Offering Hospitality to Jupiter and Mercury" by Restout‘Raison Du Jour‘ and Other Poetry by Gerald George The Society June 19, 2021 Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry 2 Comments Raison Du Jour Reason is like tea.It’s best at four o’clock,Which is an hour before cocktailsAnd two hours before dark. . . Finding at the Door a Disheveled Man Late on a Sunday Afternoon You don’t believe that I am Christ returnedbecause, you say, so often you’ve been burnedby charlatans pretending they were Me?I say that all who say they are may be.God’s love is not embraceable in one.One ray is not the measure of the sun. But then you ask, why would I return hereinstead of in some holy place or nearlarge populations? But I say to youI also am myself in Timbuktuthis very moment, and in Rome, New York,Peoria, Calcutta, and Dubuque. But why, you ask, is my return to sightnot brought forth in a brilliant flash of lightor heralded by thunder from afaror, as before, accompanied by a star?I say that if you don’t believe in Me,theatrical effects won’t make you see. I say that I have picked you out to giveyou one last chance eternally to live.If you will give me dinner and a bed—and something spirituous to soothe my head—I will forego what I had come to do,which is to start the Judgement Day with you. . . Gerald George has published two books of poetry: Figments and Imitations of Indonesia. His work also has appeared in numerous periodicals including the New England Poetry Review, Potomac Review, Saranac Review, Spoon River Poetry Review, and Visions International, and in four anthologies. My verse play, Bailey’s Mistake, was performed in Maine’s 2008 One-Act Play Festival. He formerly served on the editorial board of the literary journal Off the Coast. He lives in Belfast, Maine. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Trending now: 2 Responses Jeff Eardley June 19, 2021 Gerald, these are great. As an Englishman, I had to read up on Peoria and Dubuque which are now firmly on my bucket list. That final punchline is a masterpiece. Thank you. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant June 19, 2021 Gerald, I’m with you all the way on ‘Raison Du Jour’ – an hour of the serious stuff before the medicinal antidote to harsh in-your-face reality. Bottoms up to that sentiment. ‘Finding at the Door a Disheveled Man Late on a Sunday Afternoon’ is one helluva clickbait title that doesn’t disappoint – theology meets philosophy meets hilarity with aplomb. Hats off to you, Sir! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Jeff Eardley June 19, 2021 Gerald, these are great. As an Englishman, I had to read up on Peoria and Dubuque which are now firmly on my bucket list. That final punchline is a masterpiece. Thank you. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant June 19, 2021 Gerald, I’m with you all the way on ‘Raison Du Jour’ – an hour of the serious stuff before the medicinal antidote to harsh in-your-face reality. Bottoms up to that sentiment. ‘Finding at the Door a Disheveled Man Late on a Sunday Afternoon’ is one helluva clickbait title that doesn’t disappoint – theology meets philosophy meets hilarity with aplomb. Hats off to you, Sir! Reply
