John W. L. Toivonen- A Poem

The Disciples Last Meeting in Jerusalem

It was best then to leave Jerusalem
and so they decided to set out for
footpaths that would carry them and their words
to men trained in different ways of eating
and ceremonies of diverse idols.

They had vowed to spread that spark that lighted
the way to the kingdom within. But now,
though not fearing death, they hated only
the absence of each other as they would

separate – with one in Asia Minor,
another ministering in Antioch.
So they sat in a room with draped windows
and gazed on each other knowing that their
tenure in Jerusalem was now done.


"The Disciples Last Meeting in Jerusalem" has been published in John W. L. Toivonen's first book of poetry, Song After a Long Campaign. 



John W. L. Toivonen published his first book of poetry, Song After a Long Campaign, in 2013. Toivonen has published his work in Atavic Poetry, Midwest Poetry Review, and Paterson Literary Review. His work will appear in the 2014 edition of Roanoke Review.