Yeah, the genre I was going for is more activist than intellectual.  Verses 3-5 are supposed to be satirical quote from a preacher, hence the use of different levels of language to reflect the 2 perspectives.

This feels like a standard critique of religion/religious persons/religious structure— but nonetheless useful to talk about.  As a former evangelical, I can relate to this; at least relate to what I think you’re getting at.  The language was a bit jarring at first, the usage of formal versus pedestrian; but on a second read I wonder if that was intentional, juxtaposing the holy with the common.  The last line got me, reminds me of all the church activities I was once involved in, all the while having my head in the clouds of hedonism.  I’d be curious as to what sparked this idea.  I dig it!

>I’m a preacher too.

Hell of a finisher! (no pun intended) But I loved how it showed us the various hypocrisies and brought us to a central point of the biggest one of them all (In this story at least). This was great! 

10/10.


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Well you get the point across well, so that’s good, but the poem doesn’t really break any new ground, not conceptually, nor with the use of language, so for me, I don’t feel enriched by this.

I was baptized LDS when I was younger but haven’t gone in years and a lot of it had to do with the bishopric and some of my experiences with the church. 

Prophets in these Latter days. Every Sunday, testaments bore from cookie-cutter-structured, trial’s and tribulations. Oh how I have listened to the testimonies and heard the words but never saw any of God’s works. 

My own testimony… “I sympathize therefore, I am meek.” A bunch of kids came into our church on a very hot Sunday wearing roller blades and seeking water from the drinking fountain visible from the street. How ugly were the patrons of my church and even less hospitable were they to offer water or even give kind words of instruction. “Isn’t this a chance to share The Word or an excellent opportunity to Give to your neighbor?”  Of course not. I would say they were escorted out but tossed out was more like it. 

I don’t know 

Love your poem, tho.

"I sympathize  
therefore, I am meek."  
Took my breath away! I love how dry your wit is throughout this poem. Well done.

Is it the prophet, preacher, sage or "influencer" whom we really must beware of?

When the priest tells you to pray to God, is it His God, Your God, or Their God?

Is there something wrong with the the holy one who spreads the word, like a contagious disease, out throughout the vulnerable world?

The mission of the missionary: to utterly obliterate all other beliefs and cultures and religions and ways of life other than the "one true way."

Oracles and prophets

I’d never seen them fall

Their discords though few

Meant trouble for us all.

&amp;#x200B;

Trites against vice, or 

Mutters of priestly poise

Wise men these Augurs

Banished our choice

&amp;#x200B;

“Now you must believe 

So, all else may live

A belief so compelled

Evil is all else held.

&amp;#x200B;

Look to the poor

Now cry for the weak,

I sympathize

therefore, I am meek.

&amp;#x200B;

Do be so odd 

Pray to my god

It's known I’m pure,

You sure are not.”

&amp;#x200B;

Perhaps this critique

Hadn’t much intrigue

For the few that knew

I’m a preacher too.

&amp;#x200B;

[1](https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/xdxadv/comment/iodti8i/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web2x&amp;context=3) [2](https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/xdu1m4/comment/iodtvel/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web2x&amp;context=3)

Preacher-Creature