Thomas
A guest poem by James Aames
Stephen Brown has been a close friend for decades, and we’ve spent many hours discussing what makes poetry good and what makes it otherwise. While I’m full of opinions about it, I’ve also avoided writing much poetry because I know how profoundly difficult it is to do well. I’m humbled that Stephen has asked me to be a guest here.
My own writing has shifted toward non-fiction in recent years, as I’ve been encountering an increasing amount of young people who are bereft after leaving their faith. Since I went through the same 30 years ago, I have focused the theme of my writing on the deconstruction and deconversion experience. Helping others heals my own wounds.
But some of the topics I've tried to cover using non-fiction have landed with a thud. Some ideas can only be correctly held aloft through poetry. To wit, here is a poem that addressed my changing view of a Biblical villain.
Thomas They condemned your lack of faith. But you did nothing wrong By demanding to touch that Holy wound while His words Still rang: Take eat. I love you Thomas. Your savior is dead. Your doubt and certainty Took up counseling To appease that yearning for evidence. But of course they split. Irreconcilable Differences. It's no matter because In the end, dear friend, You were no longer a doubter. Your savior is dead. I love you Thomas. Take eat.
A note from Stephen S. Brown, Editor of Every Other Sunday:
Today’s guest poet is my friend James Aames. James is the author of How to Become a Non-Christian, available now at Amazon. He publishes on Substack with the same name - see link below.
Thank you for reading Every Other Sunday. Have you subscribed? Please do, and if you know someone who might enjoy EOS, please share. Comments are welcomed - tell me what you think.
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