Hakeldama

The priests have a problem
on the borderline of ethics and accounting

what to do with the silver coins
Judas threw at their feet

the sum was registered
under the heading of expenses
chroniclers will write it down
under the heading of legend

to record it under the rubric
unexpected earnings would be wrong
to put it in the treasury dangerous
it might infect the silver

it wouldn’t be right
to buy a candle holder with it for the temple
or give it to the poor

after long consultation
they decide to buy a potter’s field
and build a cemetery
for pilgrims

to give—so to speak
money for death
back to death

the solution
was tactful
therefore why

does the name ofthis place
rend the air for centuries
Hakeldama
Hakeldama
field of blood