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.

[Emerald Seas]

I understand where your views are coming from in this piece, and you articulate them well. As a practicing Catholic who also has issues with the complexities of organized religion, labels, and the like, I can relate to the issues you point out here. I try to remember that those in the black robes are also... just human and stray from the path as much as the "common" folk. Religion and politics... touchy subjects always. The Catholic Church definitely has its trust issues which you skillfully articulate in this piece.

[Shayla Sayer]

two words can sum up my feelings when reading this: I AGREE.

[quarintine_deathangel]

That isn't exactly what religion is like :P still a good write XD

[T. Michele Smock]

like it

[patricia]

it should have said objective, not objecting oops.

[patricia]

i had to laugh, when i read...i may regret this, but honesty please. So...as a practising catholic i will review this as best i can, obviously my view is different to yours...the first six lines, except for..as long as...are my beliefs..except to me they aren't innate ramblings.
The glancing and the feeling line, i can be more objecting about and see where you are coming from.
Poverty? for me again...a belief has many rewards. a bit like living minimalists instead of being surrounded with clutter, having said that...i hoard a lot of stuff.
helping others in defiance of one's all...has took me a long time to realise, aint very healthy for someone like me, because we are supposed to love others as we love ourselves, and i missed the love ourselves bit for the first fifty years...
i didnt get ...gorging on decadence of the eager fall..so dunno.
Empire splits by this very reader, seems to be implying i am not true to my convictions if i can go along with this...well i wont worry about that, its lasted two thousand years, i'm still a work in progress, who answers to the spirit, if the letter offends my conscience. i was someone who would have been classed as not allowed to be there, but they couldnt get rid of me, turns out i think that they never wanted to either, but solutions came for me...and this isnt a come back thomas plea, it aint my style, if you knew my story, you would understand.
There you go, they'lll all be queing up now, lets have a dig at trish, or lets have a dig at thomas, not to worry, its better than indifference i suppose. bye for now. and thanks.

[The White Wolf]

I am being very serious when I say I was one step away from dedicating my life to the Episcopal church. The reason why I chose not to in the end is exactly what you so bravely explained in this amazing poem. It was like you looked into the window of my soul and wrote down what you saw. This speaks to me very deeply and I thank you for that. Well done, my friend.

[Brandon S. Whitten]

The Pope wears Prada or is it the Devil? Good read, love.