It Bothers Me

IT BOTHERS ME
WHEN PEOPLE USE THE BIBLE
TO FIND DIRE PREDICTIONS
ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD
WITH AN ANGRY JESUS COMING TO SMITE THE SINNER
AND INNOCENT ALIKE

IT BOTHERS ME
WHEN THEY SAY
THEY ARE USING A SECRET CODE
BASED ON NUMEROLOGY
ASTROLOGY
OR SOME OTHER OLOGY

IT BOTHERS ME
WHEN PEOPLE TALK
ABOUT SECRET KNOWLEDGE
AS IF WE HAD TO PASS A TEST
AND WOE THE FAILURE

IT BOTHERS ME
TO THINK
THAT PEOPLE THINK
THAT GOD IS MEAN
VINDICTIVE
PLAYS WITH THE WORLD
LIKE A LITTLE BOY
PLAYING WITH AN ANT HILL

WE SEARCH THE PROPHECIES
LOOKING FOR DOOM
WHEN MOST OF THEM
ARE LIKE A MOTHER
SCOLDING HER CHILD
PROMISING PUNISHMENT
IF HE DOESN’T BEHAVE

THE CHOICE IS THE CHILD’S
THE CHOICE IS OURS

AND IF AN UNHAPPY PARENT
MUST DISCIPLINE THE CHILD
ARE NOT BOTH
PARENT AND CHILD
UNHAPPY


FRANK A VOLLMER