The Preacher Man

Trying to convert the sceptical youth.

The preacher man sat him down
fixed him with a stare,
removed his hat, cleared his throat,
plucked a bible from thin air.
Slid a chair with screeching legs,
sat down face to face,
opened up what he believed
to a carefully chosen place.

He read aloud the faded text,
powerful his voice,
hallelujahed, praised the Lord
at moments of his choice.
A tale he told of suffering,
forgiveness, and of love,
a son sent down as sacrifice
by his father up above.

"Amen", uttered the preacher man,
raised his bowed down head,
closed the book without a sound
then to the boy he said.....
"2000 years and still he lives
a faith born from his death,
only the good seen in mankind,
right to his final breath."

"He gave his life that we may live,
opened a righteous way,
paved it with the love of God
and we walk it to this day.
And on this path I'll lead you son,
pray, let me take your hand,
I'll guide you to a better life
into the promised land."

The boy he stared, thought awhile,
then to the preacher said...
"What proof have you apart from tales
of a man for so long dead.
And if you believe in stories old,"
he took the briefest pause,
"Do you believe in tooth fairies,
Easter bunnies and Santa Claus....."

Author's Note

Well.........

Reviews

[Mariej]

Kudos to the boy in this poem! What an intelligent boy he was, Gee! While I am not a religious person, each to his own. We make our own choices based on what we are drawn to. I firmly believe in God, a higher Source, not as He is depicted in The Bible or Catholicism but an energy which I believe my soul is a splinter of. I feel he is portrayed as an old man watching, waiting for us to slip up so he can condemn us to the burning flames of Hell (You are right Gee, Hell does NOT exist it was created to instil fear into human beings in order to control them). I could never love or believe in a god like that. I never believed he could exist! You make your point superbly in this excellently penned poem, Gee. I pray it will inspire those who read it to look within themselves to find 'the truth'. It is very cleverly inked and depiction is wonderful! A truly great write which I so enjoyed reading three times. Your inner wisdom is finely displayed too. Kudos well deserved! Thank you for sharing, Gee.
Ps/My password for my account Marie was lost during an update on the computer on Sunday evening and I spent Sunday night and all day Monday trying to get a reset on the site, to no avail. I had to create a new profile and account on Tuesday, as I missed the group and my friends so much. Just want you to know this is not a fake profile, Gee. Davidgeo pounced on me this morning, but I very quickly blocked him ; )

[Gee]

Blimey, you did well(or not) to find this one Marie. Sorts written from my non religious point of view as a kid :))
Shall we forget about everybody's non favourite troll and continue on our merry way through this oh so short life of ours :))
Thank you for taking the time to both read and comment, you are very much appreciated

[Mariej]

Dear Gee, I can't believe you wrote this as a little boy! How grown up you were psychologically and spiritually! WOW! You had it right, and you believed in yourself, you spoke your truth and you can be ssssssoooooo v---e---r---y proud of yourself. This is such an amazing poem for a boy so young to write, bless you.
Yes, let's forget about everybody's non-favourite troll and continue on our merry journey through life, what's left of it :))
Most welcome always, Gee and thank you for writing this mind blowing write as a young boy, it is as relevant now as it was back then, dear Gee...

[Gee]

Misled you Marie, written by me on whatever date but thinking back to what I thought as a kid

[Mariej]

Ah! You are a beautiful and noble spirit, Gee. Thank you for sharing with me. Bless yo always...

[John the Baptist]

I can see why you found similarities between this one and my poem "Sir, Where are You Going?" I have no problem with someone practicing a freely chosen religion, but the compulsion to force it on others gets old quickly. Really good rhyming and storytelling here.

[Gee]

Thank you John

[Donna]

I like this story, and always like rhymes! I enjoyed this very much

[Gee]

Thank you Donna

[Betty Hermelee]

I'll go with the boy any day... I guess he didn't like what the preacher was reading to him...how can a child understand biblical phrases... it's almost impossible!! The preacher man probably scared the poor kid to death...I like the way you crafted this Gee; it has some humor to it.
Best,B.

[Gee]

Thanks Betty :))

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Gee!
Best, B

[Lisasview]

Good morning Gee,
I really loved this poetic story... So clever...
The rhyming felt spot on..actually, reread it again just now..so so good..
The ending line was perfect...
Lisa, early here in Spain

[Gee]

Hi Lisa, thanks.
Will pop over and have a read once the Covid fog clears.

[Lisasview]

Hope you are feeling better Gee...
I just posted Calypso Strings....
Lisa, late here in Spain

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Woah yes some agnostic or arheistic youth do like to say that religion is fairytales yet none of them would deny God the same way as they would if someone insists that mermaids or dragons or even the yeti exists. There is a marked difference, their denial of God is also not with surety as much as it is out of rebellion.
Your poem is fantastic and superly rhymed so i enjoyed it. Kudos!

Plz also check out my two newest poems and then pleez comment on one of these two poems that you prefer. Thanks

[Gee]

Thank you :)

[Red Brick Keshner]

Wow! Plucked from thin air--- magic! Well.... it's called faith and not sight to see the proof. Tough sell that lad. But at least he got a choice, when times comes he'll get his chance.Thanks for sharing.

[Gee]

Thank you for reading and commenting

[Miss Sharon]

A great message in this write my friend. I don't believe in tooth fairies and Santa Claus but I most certainly believe in the Son of God who died in order that I may live! He even died for the very ones who nailed Him to the cross! What love indeed. ~Sharon

[Gee]

An oldie Sharon, but one I quite like. Perhaps I should pen a follow up with the preacher man's reply.
Thank you for enduring :))

[Patricia]

Oh this is so good, yes the questions of children are clever, never underestimate them and never underestimate a preacher’s response, their pockets are filled endlessly with them. I love this!

[Gee]

Hi Patricia, thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed :)

[Lathen Griffiths]

Ha ha, very good, I love rhyming poetry with a story. Very well done !

[Gee]

Cheers Lathen