The Tribune writes the Bible
By Patrick T. Reardon
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We are not afraid of height.
During slack summer, we will write a better Bible.
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This will be a new Genesis, new Exodus.
A chart-able Jesus. Lots of graphics.
Revelations galore.
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Clearer language. Our copy desk will see to that.
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Nothing will stand in our way.
From our glass offices, we will assign
Proverbs and Mark, Ezra and Colossians.
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No lede buried.
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We will win a prize.
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Sixty-six parts, give or take.
Why 1 and 2 Kings? 1 and 2 Samuel?
Simplify, clarify.
Sprightly, compelling, spread over two months.
Trim to fit.
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The almond tree will blossom,
its leaves weighed down by grasshoppers.
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Day-to-day, the Professional will be team leader.
We will take bodies
from sports and features and from the suburbs.
The bureaus, too — Washington, Moscow, the rest.
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The Professional will follow our orders.
We will whisper in his ear.
He will move the hand of each writer.
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The first books, in two weeks.
No time to waste.
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Get to it.
The sun is setting.
Mourners go about the streets.
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Patrick T. Reardon
10.25.22
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This poem originally appeared in the Spring, 2022 issue of Solum Journal.
