Medieval mockers sang the Mass

in Latin tongue in cheek,

upending what they’d learned by heart

from week to weary week,

inventing silly solemn chants,

ill-mannered and uncouth;

but one of them at least declared

a universal truth:

“O Christ,” they sang with sly delight,

as plain folk often do,

“You are the Lamb of God, and we

are on the lam from you!”