Graven Images Poem by Edward Steinhardt

Forgive us Lord for the graven image.
We had them before Baal,
Ashtoreth, the golden calf.
Thy agonizing likeness
Dangles in the valley of our hearts:
The crucifix with Thy body on it-
And without it.
Forgive our plaster-of-paris likeness
Of Thee which populates the common yard;
The churches- we are careful in this,
That Thy semblance be kept
In copyright,
That no man doubt for a second
What Thee really looked like.

We do believe Thou are not found
Within the reach of these-
That Thy Spirit does not light
The Christmas Nativity sold by Sears-
Now back in the public square.
Pray, take our graven images
To be humble homages.