The Preacher

A meditation on comeuppance

Reverend Billy G.,

On live tv,

*

Said he deserved to go

To hell.

*

Now I don't resent it,

Because I know he meant it,

*

But he didn't think it over

Very well,

*

For a week sans a/c 

Would have him down on one knee,

*

Screaming at the heavens,

"Why me?"

Author's Note

I heard him say it.

Reviews

[Dave Brown]

Wait until the middle of the upcoming summer and he will quite likely feel as tho' he is already there

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Dave. Old Billy didn't foresee climate change. If he had, he might have said, "I deserve to go to Florida."

[IC]

Given my religious upbringing, I had heard of him many times, most often through the fury of my Mother lambasting his approach to faith and the lifestyle he afforded himself from it. Perhaps if he got too hot down there he could use the aircon in one of his many Rolls Royces. I assume the Devil wouldn’t have minded taking some of them off his hands. Humorous poem, John. 🙏🏻

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Izabella. Was not aware of the Rolls Royce factor. I just get tired of "That old time religion."

[andrew mitchell]

It's been a regular occurrence the rise and fall of these preachers.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Andrew. Well, you know what they say about the love of money.

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

John The Baptist,

Quite an interesting piece of humor here. Enjoyed the read ...

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Marvin. You, as an ex-preacher, may possibly appreciate this one more than the rest of us.

[emmajoygreen]

Perhaps it's a case for many orators, whether from pulpit or wherever, their words fly before there brain opens its means of navigation. I sense a tongue in your cheek whilst writing this - and you finished with a satisfied grin!

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, ej. Many people, but especially preachers and politicians, tend to make outlandish statements. This was one of old Billy's offerings that stuck with me through the years.

[emmajoygreen]

That reaction could apply to many people throughout history... whilst some wise words lie hidden until they have near lost their sell-by date.

[JD Major]

Hilarious! Clever! Crisply written :)

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. Every now and then I write a satire.

[Soren]

Clever, very clever write John. It is relatable and amusing as well as very well rhymed is such a clever manner. Loved it.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Soren. The tv preachers often set themselves up for satire.

[Anita Frader]

Oh those guys are the worst. They can blow smoke but they can't take the heat.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. Actually, this wasn't meant to throw smoke on Billy, but simply as a satire. I did, however, did get something from an Evangelical type trying to correct me.

[Anita Frader]

No worries, I despise them all equally. 🙂

[Pete]

we each have our ideas of a living hell. as time marches on it seems to takes less and less to make us bow down. i just saw a news story on tv last night about jesse duplantis and other televangeslists living in huge, multi-million dollar mansions tax free.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Pete. Some of those guys were born without the shame gene.

[Pete]

iso much for conscience. t boggles the mind.

[carl]

love of money and vanity lead to arrogance, abuse, and indifference. It is a shame wherever found but more so by those who claim to represent a faith or religion -but within are full of extortion and excess.

[Stella Armour]

i saw him live here in England many years ago and what a load of rubbish he spoke..