Let A stand for amaryllis,
B for betray,
C for cast,
and so on until W
straddles
want and wake—
the advance men for rapture.
Substitute lilies for amaryllis,
a kiss for betrayal.
Gather a Roman cast,
straddling
Jewish law.
Wake
to rapture.

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© 2026 The Christian Century.
Let A stand for amaryllis,
B for betray,
C for cast,
and so on until W
straddles
want and wake—
the advance men for rapture.
Substitute lilies for amaryllis,
a kiss for betrayal.
Gather a Roman cast,
straddling
Jewish law.
Wake
to rapture.
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