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

[Kichu]

I loved this poem, it has a great flow, lovely use of language to weave a story, yet elaborate use of rhyme schemes make it rich.

[Gee]

Thanks kichu

[kitty]

If you believed in those, why not believe in me for I have opened up your eyes ~ much goodness you will see!

[Gee]

One day perhaps, who knows, but as of now I lead a wonderfully happy life without faith.
Thank you Kitty

[kitty]

Each to his own without malice or hate in any form. Have a good day. Stay focussed and happy!

[Gee]

Always....Thank you

[Nolo Segundo]

It's interesting that we 'moderns' crave 'proof' before we 'believe' something, as though knowing and believing something are the same thing. The real 'proof' of Jesus is perhaps that his message is so very hard for humans to follow: forgive your enemies, turn the other cheek, care for those ill and destitute, love God and your neighbor. Similar messages were given by Moses, Confucius, the Buddha, Muhammad-- they too are all too often ignored. Perhaps the real question should be, how well do most people do without a sense of God and the soul? Does life really have meaning otherwise?

[Gee]

I've no God in my life, have never felt the need.
Nevertheless I have a wonderful life.
read moreI've no God in my life, have never felt the need.
Nevertheless I have a wonderful life.
Thank you for reviewing Nolo

[Chris Shaw]

I smiled at the ending of your poem Gee because, that is exactly what most adolescents would say nowadays. And I've got three living with me. They are not prepared to accept so much without the scientific proof. They won't believe everything written and passed down the line from 2000 years ago. They are far more questioning. And as for tooth fairies, Santa Claus and the Easter bunny, it's been many a year since I was able to bribe them to behave better or else. That makes me a bit sad, because that was so much fun. Enjoyed your poem. You told a good tale.

[Gee]

Morning Christine, I am that boy, though these days I don't give two hoots about many things.

[Gee]

Oops, thank you for both reading and commenting

[Chris Shaw]

I have also changed my views on many things Gee. Have a good week-end and good morning.

[Gee]

Thank you, you too

[matelotrod]

A really interesting piece and enjoyable, i love the last stanza as it does ring true. we live in a different era now and the younger generation have a much less "religious" upbringing. Well written and very thought provoking. Rod.

[Gee]

Thank you Rod

[Ms Paragon]

This poem has such a smooth flow and left me with a a smile in the end!Brilliant!

[Gee]

Thank you Ms P, glad you enjoyed. One of the few I’ve written that I wouldn’t delete :)

[Dinesh Kumar]

Nicely penned
Enjoyed reading

[Gee]

Thank you..

[Dinesh Kumar]

Mention not

[barleygirl]

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! You have found such a creative way to pose the lifelong questions many of us independent thinkers wonder about. The easter bunny & santa claus ideas are metaphors (for me) signifying all the tall tales we're told & expected to accept at face value. I love the way most of this poem simply states the typical words of faith & comfort that a preacher may convey, yet the crux of your message can be found in the last stanza, such a contrast from the rest! *smile* Fondly, Margie

[Gee]

Thank you Margie, a fav of mine so glad you enjoyed

[Resa]

I like the way your words flow.
I am a Christian and even I have asked my pastor similar questions regarding blind faith. ( my question did not involve the Easter bunny) LoL

[Gee]

Thank you Resa

[John Alexander McFadyen]

The age old argument set in a jaunty 'angle' of a poem with panache and humor. Nice flowing verse.

[Gee]

Morning John, cheers