Forgive us Lord for the graven image. <br />We had them before Baal, <br />Ashtoreth, the golden calf. <br />Thy agonizing likeness <br />Dangles in the valley of our hearts: <br />The crucifix with Thy body on it- <br />And without it. <br />Forgive our plaster-of-paris likeness <br />Of Thee which populates the common yard; <br />The churches- we are careful in this, <br />That Thy semblance be kept <br />In copyright, <br />That no man doubt for a second <br />What Thee really looked like. <br /> <br />We do believe Thou are not found <br />Within the reach of these- <br />That Thy Spirit does not light <br />The Christmas Nativity sold by Sears- <br />Now back in the public square. <br />Pray, take our graven images <br />To be humble homages.<br /><br />Edward Steinhardt<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/graven-images/
