while tempting jesus in the wilderness

while tempting jesus in the wilderness

i grew tired of playing a losing game

so, instead of the kingdoms of the earth,

i offered him

a hillside that would grow more rocks than bread

a creek to pour fog into the chilly morning air

a cow and some chickens

a small vineyard in back of a stone cottage

and a wife better in the kitchen than in bed

all of this and nothing more

all of this

in a place where god would never find him

and he fell down and worshipped me