Robes.

My thoughts after reading "The Rites" by Matt Baglio

The holy men in their black robes,

Spouting innate ramblings of peace and love,

Honour thy neighbours and families,

As long as you pray to the dove.

Take his body and blood,

Cleanse your soul and mind,

Glancing at the altars helpers,

Feeling that sick little grind.

Preaching solidly about poverty the virtue,

Helping others in defiance of ones all,

Black robes living in their ivory towers,

Gorging on decadence off the eager fall.

A solid union in a powerful city,

Closed ranks under a voted leader,

Silent side glances and rumours,

Empire splits by this very reader.

Author's Note

I may regret this, but honesty please! x

Reviews

[Aella.lives]

I may like this more because I agree with everything you have said, however I have never read "The Rites" by Matt Baglio, and I have no way to know how it reflects to that work. But I love this piece and it's honesty to the world that you see about these 'holy' men.

[ba_mcfarlane]

Skilful, an undertow of resentment that isn't necessarily a bad thing, but a tad too Goth for me

[Bats In The Belfry]

Religion is flawed because it is run by man who is sinful by nature. There are those of the cloth who have darkened their brethren who try their best. Have issue with those individuals dont take it out on a whole community. One white mans actions doesn't speak for all whites and so on.

I love the last line because you know the content of the work will spark debate.

[freelancejouster]

i feel like youre preaching a little about the evils of preachers. which is... odd, to say the least. it's a little ironic and uses sublime vocabulary. i'm having a little problem with the flow of it, the piece just feels choppy on occasion.

[Rene Velez]

unspoken truths most would not dare touch, you are a unique and brave soul Thomas, nice work.

[R J Askew]

Bravo. You put your finger pointedly on some centuries old hypocrisies. I esp like that arch dab about 'Glancing at the altars helpers' in light of the recent child abuse scandals for the Catholic church. And of course we know how loveable holy men in black robes are in other closed-minded and repressive believe tyrannies can be. Nothing is beyond being doubted and challenged. It is only by doubting and challenging that the truth might just out. Here's to freedom of though and expression.

[Dayran]

The black plague in Europe continues to rattle a lot of bones to this day. What foul dust lies between man and the life of nature, continues to haunt us. In the potato blight of Ireland, one wonders if it was a variation of the same event. After the experiences of HIV, Ebola, SARS, Mad cow, Bird flu, beaching whales....we have a new perspective on the viral nature of the human condition.

How did institutional faith handle the situation from previously? How was it done in the land of fairies and leprechauns? Why is the Church in the British isles under a special scutiny on right and wrong? It is important for us to be precise, otherwise we draw the same wrath onto our heads the way that you are bringing it to bear on the church. Nice write!

[Jyango Ryudo]

Very good. U explain well. I like the different words(big words lol) although to me a bit confusing but maybe that's cus I'm young :) great job bro :)

[Tate Morgan]

Well I cant say i understand everything here but Hypocrisy seems to be the story.In that regard I agree whole heartedly and commend the courage to say so

[Kenneth The Poet]

A sturdy write. Love how you pounce on the edifice of it all and not so much the good teachings.

[Lowesy]

Being an Atheist, my true opinion, faith is fine, people can have as much faith as they want, religion is flawed, really flawed! I liked this poem, congrats!