You’ve got to be kidding … (Transfiguration)

President’s Day Quote “God always answers prayers. Sometimes it’s ‘yes.’ Sometimes the answer is ‘no.’ Sometimes it’s ‘you gotta be kidding.’” Jimmy Carter

“You’ve got to be kidding,”
says Elijah to Moses, “pick him?
His beard doesn’t grow at the same rate
on both sides,
he’s a sucker for whores,
loves enemies,
waits too long to help friends.

He has those clueless followers,
then favoritism, choosing only three
to bring up here.”

“You’ve got to be kidding,”
says Moses to Elijah — “a cross?

Mount Nebo gave me
some perspective on it all
and with sweet chariots you had
a media event.
Even three booths is not a bad idea —
better than temporary shine,
no one knows about

on a failed carpenter,
a stuttering leader,
most of whose commandments
are longer than a tweet,
a prophet famous for running away
and eating bird food,
some fishers on dry land,

a peanut farmer,
refugees, water protectors,
immigrants,
also you and me.

You’ve got to be kidding.