So The Story Goes

By: Marion Clare

The child of peasant parents,
frightened refugees, fleeing genocide 

raised in a land occupied by empire
divided and unjust 

a man of the land and the sea
with calloused working hands 

a person of sorrows, familiar with grief
a solitary figure of deserts and storms 

lively party guest
enigmatic commentator
escapologist
faith healer
jester
guru
agitator
 
confusing, frustrating, inclusive:
consorting with women, loving wine
loving the devout, the foolish,
the mighty and the ugly 

fierce advocate of the oppressed -
playful, nonviolent resistor
to the dominating powers. 

A salve to the blister of religion
revealing the distant One to be a parent
close at heart 

that human breath, somehow spirit
those jarring words, somehow peace 

loving, confusing, resisting
unto arrest
and execution
pouring out the joy, the strength
in giving, in brokenness 

hilariously, still living today
in those who will take their two left feet,
and attempt the ​odd steps of his waltz.

---

Marion Clare

hails from Plymouth, UK.  She first encountered Christianity growing up in Charismatic Renewal churches and then discovered Liberation movements at Bible college where she embraced her inner rebel and 'black sheep'. She now tentatively and messily tries to hold space for the best in both modes of being, throwing a good dose of anarchist, DIY punk energy into the mix for good measure. She is a writer and performance artist, who works with communities on socially engaged theatre and arts projects.