Mazuma Poem by gershon hepner

“I'll take the mazuma, ” said Jesus to Mary,
“and afterwards I have to dash.”
“Stop acting like a baby boomer, ”
said Mary, indignant. “They don't take cash
in heaven, I have heard, so why
do you, my boy? I thought you chased
the money changers, clever guy
who said it was a dreadful waste
of time to even think of money.”
“It's a miracle, ” he said.
“Making fish and wine is funny,
but far more fun is making bread.”
“You really are extremely witty, ”
said Mary, quite immaculate.
And Jesus said: “You are so pretty,
free of all ejaculate.”

Inspired by a poem by Paul Muldoon, quoted by Charles McGrath in the NY Times Magazine, November 20,2006:

I was staying at the Marriot,
With Jesus and John Wayne
I was waiting for a chariot
They were waiting for a train
The sky was full of carrion
“I'll take the mazuma”
Said Jesus to Marion
“That's the 3.10 to Yuma
My ride's here...”



11/20/06