The shunning
He places the smiles
wherever politeness asks,
Raising the shame
from his heart,
to a laugh.
and he updates you
on his business,
and other such
small talk masks.
But you clear your throat
and with a bitter tut
and quite a loathsome tone
you say:
'we don't want to be
in the paradise without you son
you're hurting mum .'
'and armageddons coming
so HURRY UP
Just Get back in God's love,
you're missing out on us son
It'll be too late
when I'm gone.'
And the son recalls
that sad frown
when your head bowed
and blamed the victim.
When you told him
' we're going to have to
shun you,
Corinthians says rid
the wicked man from among you and
you've read an apostate book,
let one case of abuse
turn your back on the truth and god disapproves.'
I want to say to you
'can't you see,
can't you just see
how else
this could be perceived :
you gave birth
to a belief in him
he should have the right
to leave it
Without risk
to the only life ever
permitted him.'
But you'd say :
' well we only guide
the children,
then they can change their mind
Their beliefs are not mine. '
Can't you see though
the kids were only allowed
to love your kind
and babies believe
what their parents say is right!
I know the elders say,
to shun invites faith
And so to keep him away
Is the strongest care
But why should a man decide
the pain you
and your children can bear?
Ah you say these men have
the authority of God
But now we know
That so did wars,
And so do the rest
of the world.
and the split second choice
they make,
That's 8 million lives at stake .
And I wish I could say that to
Be without you
is just not a choice that WE have made.
But I can't.
If I say these things
you'll see nothing in me
but my moderate sins
and you'd ask
what on earth
has happened to me
since I turned 15.
And I love you all so much but
You don't trust my love
And your broken lips
shut the truth too much.
Every moment spoken
you push it aside
with a grip
on repetitious slogans,
can't see what's there
without pre conceived phrases .
You stuff your doubts
with pride in these teachings.
And if critique contradicts
your beliefs
You squint your head
And your eyes twitch
When the truth speaks.
You moisten and swallow
Hoarse absolutes
with kind sentiment
And i know your intentions are good
But you call blackmail
something different.
The thing is that
I thirst for other
ways to listen
Before I depart
But watch you loves of mine
After decades
Still waiting for
The next life to start,
still standing there crying
scolding
'Stop drinking
Start believing
Stop hurting
Start believing
So I can see you
once a year again.'
But this is the way
To keep us all Christian
And too many pains are at stake
too many sacrifices
Have been made
to admit your life
As a mistake.