Original Poem：
My Dear Khomeini:
I read your fourteen thousand dollar
ad asking me why the Vatican waited
all of these years to send an envoy
to complain about conditions in Iran
You’re right, we should have sent one
when the Shah was in power, look,
I’m in total agreement with you
Khomeini, that Christ, had he lived in
Iran under the Shah, would have led the
biggest damned revolt you ever saw
Believe me, Khomeini, I knew about
the Shah’s decadence, his extravagance
his misdeeds, and how he lolled about
in luxury with Iran’s loot
I knew about the trail of jewels which
led to his Dad’s capture
but a fella has to eat and so when
David Rockefeller asked me to do something
how could I refuse?
You can afford to be holier than thou
What is it, 30 dollars per barrel these days?
You must be bathing in oil
While each day I suffer a new indignity
You know that rock record they made me
do? It’s 300 on the Charts which is about
as low as you can get.
And I guess you read where I
had to call in all those Cardinals and
for the first time reveal the Vatican
budget?
I had to just about get down on my hands
and knees to get them to co-sign for a
loan
The Vatican jet has a mechanical problem
and the Rolls-Royce needs a new engine
The staff hasn’t been paid in months
and the power company is threatening to
turn off the candles
To add to that, the building inspector
has listed us as having 30,000 code
violations
I’m telling you, Khomeini, that
so many people are leaving the church
I have this nightmare where I
wake up one day in Los Angeles and
I’m the only one left
Pretty soon we’ll be one of those
cults you read about in the
San
Francisco Chronicle
And so, Khomeini, I promise
you that when we pay off the
deficit, I won’t send an envoy
I’ll come visit you myself
I’d like to discuss this plan
that Patriarch Dimitrios, of
the Greek Orthodox Church, and I
just came up with
You know, we haven’t spoken to
those fellows in 900 years but
when you are 20 million dollars
in the red
You’ll talk to anybody
Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem
This poem is a satirical and poignant letter addressed to Khomeini, the former Supreme Leader of Iran. It reflects on the political and religious tensions between Iran under the Shah and the Vatican, highlighting themes of hypocrisy, power struggles, and the decline of religious institutions. The speaker, presumably a representative of the Vatican or the Catholic Church, responds to Khomeini’s criticism about the Vatican’s delayed reaction to the Shah’s regime.
The poem uses irony and humor to expose the contradictions within the Vatican, such as financial troubles, internal corruption, and dwindling influence. The speaker admits awareness of the Shah’s corruption and extravagance but explains the Vatican’s complicity due to political and economic interests, notably mentioning David Rockefeller and oil wealth. The poem also touches on the decline of church attendance and the fear of becoming irrelevant, comparing the Church to a cult.
Overall, the poem critiques both political and religious authorities, showing how power and money often overshadow moral integrity.
Background and Author Introduction
This poem was written during a period of significant political upheaval in Iran, particularly around the time of the Iranian Revolution (1979), which saw the overthrow of the Shah and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini. The poem’s tone and content suggest it was penned by a Western observer or a critic of both the Shah’s regime and the Vatican’s political maneuvering.
The author uses a conversational style and direct address to Khomeini to create a dramatic and ironic dialogue. The poem’s references to financial struggles within the Vatican and the mention of Patriarch Dimitrios hint at a broader commentary on religious institutions’ challenges in the modern world.
Reflection and Personal Response
Reading this poem evokes a complex mix of emotions: amusement at the sharp wit and irony, sadness for the decline of spiritual institutions, and frustration at the political compromises made by religious authorities. It encourages readers to think critically about the relationship between religion, politics, and power, and how these dynamics affect ordinary people.
The poem also reminds us that moral authority is often compromised by economic interests, and that institutions must adapt or risk irrelevance. It challenges us to consider how we respond to injustice and corruption in our own contexts.
Learning Points for Children and Students
From this poem, children and students can learn:
- Historical Context: Understanding the Iranian Revolution, the role of the Shah, and Ayatollah Khomeini.
- Religious Institutions: Insight into the Vatican’s role and challenges in global politics.
- Critical Thinking: Analyzing irony, satire, and the use of voice in poetry.
- Moral Questions: Reflecting on power, corruption, and integrity.
- Vocabulary: Words like envoy, decadence, extravagance, indignity, and deficit.
Practical Applications and Insights
- In Education: This poem can be used to teach historical events, poetry analysis, and ethical discussions.
- In Life: It encourages awareness of how institutions work behind the scenes and the importance of questioning authority.
- In Writing: Students can learn how to use satire and irony effectively.
- In Social Studies: It provides a case study on the intersection of religion and politics.
Reading Comprehension Questions
- Who is the poem addressed to, and why?
- What is the main criticism Khomeini has about the Vatican?
- How does the speaker describe the Vatican’s financial situation?
- What does the speaker say about the Shah’s regime?
- Why does the speaker mention David Rockefeller?
- What fears does the speaker express about the future of the Church?
- What is the significance of the proposed plan with the Greek Orthodox Church?
- How does the poem use irony to convey its message?
- What lessons can be learned from the poem about power and morality?
- How does the poem reflect the historical context of Iran and the Vatican?
Answers to Reading Comprehension Questions
- The poem is addressed to Khomeini, the leader of Iran after the Shah, responding to his criticism of the Vatican.
- Khomeini criticizes the Vatican for waiting too long to send an envoy to complain about conditions in Iran.
- The speaker describes the Vatican as financially troubled, with unpaid staff, mechanical problems, and a large deficit.
- The Shah’s regime is described as decadent, extravagant, and corrupt, living off Iran’s wealth.
- David Rockefeller is mentioned as someone who influenced the speaker’s actions, implying economic and political pressures.
- The speaker fears that many people are leaving the Church, and it might become irrelevant or like a cult.
- The plan with the Greek Orthodox Church shows a willingness to cooperate despite centuries of separation, driven by financial necessity.
- The poem uses irony by contrasting the Vatican’s moral authority with its financial and ethical struggles.
- The poem teaches that power and money can corrupt moral institutions, and integrity is often compromised.
- The poem reflects the political tensions of the Iranian Revolution and the Vatican’s complex role in global affairs.
This expanded article provides a comprehensive understanding of the poem, its themes, context, and educational value, making it suitable for students and readers interested in poetry, history, and ethics.
