JUDAS

The Gospel of Judas has just been revealed by the National Geographic.

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JUDAS


All right, they found you. After two millennia
you’ll have your say, and that transmitted
through God knows how many mouths
and two further centuries, probably edited –
no offence, you understand, these doubts:
after all, your brothers have been here

much longer. Power, pelf, church all theirs,
to say nothing of a flock a few billion strong
whose faith – well, you know what I mean!
Four sainted apostles can’t be wrong…
And the eons have lent a certain sheen
to the tale… As for truth, who cares?

You saw Pilate wash his delicate hands
of it that day, the old fox, complete
with Roman jest - the chap had style. What
makes you think the multitudes will greet
your word? And it’s Lent now old boy, not
Christmas; not even a fighting chance.

But…I think you’re better off as you are.
Your brothers in Christ have done more
for you than they’ll know. A betrayer’s
the meat of drama, like Magdala’s whore:
and one with theatre’s famous slayers.
No less than them, you’re a star.

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