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a man has taken himself hostage!
 
In order to call attention
to world             problems
a man has taken himself hostage!
and demanded his own freedom.
 
In the name of God
he has renounced his religion
 
In the name of Earth
he has renounced his country
 
In the name of reality
he has renounced his maniacal fantasy
 
In the name of illusion
he has renounced his possessions
 
In the name of Johh Lennon
he has renounced his desire to kill
 
In the name of Self
he has renounced his own name.
 
And having renounced his own name
all the news media could report was that
a man, his name could not be confirmed,
has taken himself hostage!
he has gone into a room and locked the door
but he says he is not Christ,
now we are getting a report that he is fully awakened
but refuses to call himself a Buddha,
we're sorry, very sorry, that we cannot give you more specifics
all we can say is that a man has demanded his own freedom
and, wait, the windows have been opened and burning incense  
     is pouring out,
the door has been opened and, get this, this an exclusive,
     i've never seen this one before,
there is a welcome mat!
the volume on the tv has been turned
down so i don't know if you can hear me
i'm breaking up, forgive me for being unprofessional
     but i'm sobbing with joy,
and i repeat
a man has taken himself hostage!
and apparently he has been released.

 

 

Mankh (Walter E. Harris III)

first published at ward6review