Trompe L’Oeil

I really love your work
the way it is nailed by its wrists
to a cross
I mean to say
the way it gushes from nothingness
but words make a meal of me
chomp chomp
and isn’t it Jesus
everybody is buzzing about
the way he was not wearing
a microphone
and did not own a camera
to self-record the curtaining
of himself
as he knew himself
tremoring up there on the grain
how did he wait for it
I cannot imagine
I can only make a small map
of my fingerprints
which are your fingerprints
and a roof
which is a human roof
and tell you
how good it is
to have a roof
before the sky.

—Melissa Broder is the author of the poetry collection When You Say One Thing but Mean Your Mother (Ampersand Books).

Copyright © 2011 by the author or Christianity Today/Books & Culture magazine.Click here for reprint information on Books & Culture.

Also in this issue

Books & Culture was a bimonthly review that engaged the contemporary world from a Christian perspective. Every issue of Books & Culture contained in-depth reviews of books that merit critical attention, as well as shorter notices of significant new titles. It was published six times a year by Christianity Today from 1995 to 2016.

Our Latest

News

First Year of Trump 2.0 Leaves Pro-lifers with Misgivings

At the March for Life, pro-life Christians express concerns with Washington’s waning commitment to their cause.

News

In a Tense Minnesota, Christians Help Immigrant Neighbors

As the Twin Cities reel from ICE arrests and the killing of Alex Pretti, churchgoers drive immigrants to work and doctor’s appointments.

My Healing Was God’s Work, Not Mine 

Natalie Mead

After six years of debilitating chronic migraine disorder, I’d lost my confidence in the Lord. He was still faithful.

Being Human

Steve & Lisa Cuss’ Insights into Communication Styles and Their Impact on Well-Being

Why is it so hard to transform communication styles for deeper connections?

The Russell Moore Show

How to Use Faith Language in Everyday Conversation

Russell answers a listener question on how we can use language about our faith in conversation about the mundane and ordinary parts of life – without overspiritualizing.

Analysis

The Indignity of a Computer Undressing You

The Bulletin with Christine Emba

Why Christians need to talk about Grok’s policies on AI-image generation.

Human Worth in the Attention Economy

James tells us to guard against partiality. That means rejecting disdain for mothers, blue-collar workers, and others the world devalues.

Authority Is a Responsibility, Not an Excuse

The Trump administration should be able to execute on its immigration mandate without executing people like Alex Pretti in the streets.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube