Neanderthal Messiah — 150

Nazareth, Galilee| Roman Provinces

[Judas:] ‘Raising Lazy — he’s going to burst

On seeing your return.

He’s infiltrated the Pharisees

Even chosen as a Heresy Liaison to Herod.

He wouldn’t speak of his resurrection

But we figured it was you.

In fact, his tacit representation of you in temple

And how you undressed them there

As a 6 year old…

And that you can stave off Death…

Lazarus has been untouchable.’

[Iesu:] ‘Judy, how have you been?’

[Judas, reflecting:] ‘I imagined your journey

Never doubting

They say from the animals saved stories

On the Silk Road East - of a child God.

I sold tea on the Silk Road to hear of you.

[They walk together.]

Your babysitter, Yitzhak

Has developed his Cabala powers

And your brother James, the Beloved,

Has run afoul of the Authorities,

The Sanhedrin attacking him for learning Sanskrit

And telling the ancient story of Gilgamesh.

And sweet Mary lost — smeared by lies.’

[Iesu:] ‘We’ll see about that.’

…

Outside Hartford, CT | 1978

[A boy is given a buck knife from his cowboy Grampa.]