Matt's Poetry

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The Outsider

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“Outsider Christ” by David Hayward (buy on Etsy)
“Outsider Christ” by David Hayward (buy on Etsy)

Ich bin ein Außenseiter
Je suis un étranger
ég er utanaðkomandi
Ja sam autsajder

externus sum, mi estas
eksterulo,
Saya orang luar
Yo soy un extraño.

Omnis traductor traditor
Mais, Dieu a disposé le Corps
Ik heb zoveel leugens verteld -
But I 
will lie 
no more.

The first eight lines of this poem all say “I am an Outsider” in various languages. The last stanza says, again in multiple languages, “Every translator is a traitor; but God has put the body together. I have told so many lies… but I will lie no more.”

I wrote it on 3rd August 2014, after hearing a sermon that basically said, “If you feel like an outsider in church, it’s your fault.” As often happens, I can’t tell you exactly what this poem means… and it might not be as helpful if I did.

I remembered it today when my friend David Hayward posted the cartoon above. He facilitates an online community called The Lasting Supper where many people have found authenticity, healing and friendship.