Jesus told a joke <br />To the lowly and humble folk <br />And they laughed. <br />So the Pope <br />Who didn't understand the joke <br />Banned laughter in Church. <br /> <br />The lowly and humble folk <br />Had killed themselves laughing <br />So the Church said <br />The Joker must die too. <br /> <br />Why must something beautiful <br />Be destroyed <br />By serious-minded clerics <br />Without a sense of humour? <br /> <br />Why must we bow down <br />To a corpse on a tree <br />Instead of singing and dancing? <br /> <br />Why are our loveliest songs <br />Inspired by sorrow? <br /> <br />And why do our priests and priestesses <br />Lord it over us <br />Clothed in dark garments of woven tears?<br /><br />John Thorkild Ellison<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/jesus-told-a-joke/
