Apocrypha

Southward

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2018
• eBook ISBN: 9781532652585
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Poetry
• Index: Literature

This debut collection of sonnets explores the cryptic personality of Jesus of Nazareth. Reimagining pivotal moments in his life story from unlikely perspectives--including those of Joseph, Mary Magdalene, Lazarus, a Pharisee, and even Satan--the poems invite deeper engagement with the Gospel narrative. Jesus emerges from this mosaic-like treatment as a conscientious friend, steely reformer, and inspired poet--as well as an ordinary, troubled man. With lyrical nuance and intensity, Apocrypha brings to life the shadowy past of an iconic figure. Its humane vision speaks equally to believers and atheists, to theologians and lay readers, to students of history and lovers of poetry.

Apocrypha

David Southward

Apocrypha

Copyright © 2018 David Southward. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401.

Resource Publications

An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers

199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3

Eugene, OR 97401

www.wipfandstock.com

paperback isbn: 978-1-5326-5256-1

hardcover isbn: 978-1-5326-5257-8

ebook isbn: 978-1-5326-5258-5

Manufactured in the U.S.A. 07/03/18

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Table of Contents

• Title Page
• Acknowledgments
• Annunciation
• The Gift Bearers
• A Passover Supper
• Joseph
• Lacuna
• A Neighbor’s Concern
• He Hears of a Messiah
• John the Baptist
• Satan in the Wilderness: Day Six
• Satan in the Wilderness: Day Twenty
• Satan in the Wilderness: Day Forty
• Miracle at Cana
• How He Came to Speak in Parables
• Brother James
• Legion
• The Cleansing of Mary Magdalene
• Martha in the Kitchen
• Simon’s New Name
• News from the Mount
• The Pharisee’s Quandary
• Stoning an Adulteress
• Lazarus Among Friends
• Herod’s Banquet
• Transfiguration
• The Moneychanger
• Lost Canticle of Mary Magdalene
• The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
• Gethsemane
• The Man Who Would Be King
• Mary Magdalene Squares the Gospels
• The Fate of Judas
• Mary’s Assumption
• Epilogue

. . . even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view,we know him no longer in that way.

(2 Cor 5:16, NRSV)

Acknowledgments

With gratitude to the editors of the journals in which the following poems first appeared:

The Other Journ...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Acknowledgments
• Annunciation
• The Gift Bearers
• A Passover Supper
• Joseph
• Lacuna
• A Neighbor’s Concern
• He Hears of a Messiah
• John the Baptist
• Satan in the Wilderness: Day Six
• Satan in the Wilderness: Day Twenty
• Satan in the Wilderness: Day Forty
• Miracle at Cana
• How He Came to Speak in Parables
• Brother James
• Legion
• The Cleansing of Mary Magdalene
• Martha in the Kitchen
• Simon’s New Name
• News from the Mount
• The Pharisee’s Quandary
• Stoning an Adulteress
• Lazarus Among Friends
• Herod’s Banquet
• Transfiguration
• The Moneychanger
• Lost Canticle of Mary Magdalene
• The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
• Gethsemane
• The Man Who Would Be King
• Mary Magdalene Squares the Gospels
• The Fate of Judas
• Mary’s Assumption
• Epilogue