Rummaging through old boxes I happened upon a poem I wrote in 1983
about (of all things) the history of Christianity!
Yipes!
I don't know that it is worth the effort of transcribing...
But--how could I deprive you all of such a strange poem, eh?
_______
CHRISTIANITY?
________
In the beginning, the Pagans were winning
the Romans were fomenting blame,
Christians were tested in being arrested
entirely because of their "name."
When Rome was set burning, 'twas Nero whose churning
out rumors brought Christians alarm
Soon fed to the lions and even while dying
would not recant braving such harm!
Little by little, from death to acquittal,
disciples, apostles deceased
Until at long last, three centuries passed
And Constantine brought Christians peace.
Trajan ignored them, Domition abhorred them
Decius forced them to martyr,
But Constantine chose them--he would not oppose them,
And legally granted a charter.
That Emperor nourished
the Catholics flourished
the Empire converted en masse
Provinces faced them, gave ear and embraced them
Success through the ages at last!
Alas, came young Luther to challenge uncouther
than any had spoken before
Debate was abrupt, "This Church is corrupt"
His challenge there nailed Wittenberg's door.
Bold reformations were sweeping the nations
the Protestant rebels broke faith with their Pope
Like nothing before the Thirty Years War
split Europe and gave little hope.
These hideous quarrels about Faith and Morals
gave birth to the Conscience in man
reading a Bible was certainly liable
to uncover God's vast sacred Plan.
So it came to pass, there was freedom, at last,
to read and interpret the text
Instead of a Pope, just any old dope
could preach about what's coming next
Sectarian visions created divisions
fomenting the cults fertile sprawl
A buffet of nonsense in purest of conscience
competed for hearts one and all
Lies were the business of Mormons and Witnesses
Moonies, and David Koresh
Bullshitting teachers like those TV preachers
came strutting with smiles awfully whorish
And so I was hooked and one day got booked
in jail, off to prison for years
Because I believed, was simply deceived
and my life was two decades of tears.
But friends, I woke up!
I threw down the cup of Koolaid and joined in the fight
Sounding alarm outlining the harm
And that's why I bark and I bite.
Don't listen nor fear anything you may hear
from the lips of false teachers who lie
Life is too short to tear people apart
while promising sweet bye and bye.
Love is the prayer for those who despair
and all those who share will survive
to a heaven on Earth
and for what's it's worth
it means truly being alive.
_______
God is our highest and best thought or feeling
no matter what Name you may use
Kindness to others is your "God" revealing
it's not what men say
--------what they do.