The Preacher's Keeper

The choir sings and sways
as the church says, amen
swept up by bouts of praise
This is the day the Lord has made

Sins wander about like a dragging procession
offerings locked up in his possession
Pardon me, father
for I have a confession

I watch you when you sleep at night
I listen as you heave and cry
the way you fall to your knees
always eager to please

I know the way you furrow your brows
and tighten your jaw
your darkest thoughts
and deepest scowls

I look down from my heaven
and watch you shiver and grieve
tell me your sins
and I’ll give you relief

It must be tiring
always having to believe
that all of this has a deeper meaning
than what is really seen

Tell me father
what sorrow hides in your closet
what regret lurks in your shadow
Maybe you’ll be fine by tomorrow

When the morning comes
and you come undone
racked by grief and coldly shunned
just know that I have won

Your suffering, my prize
my joy, your demise
as I watch with knowing eyes
and blend in with my disguise

When you’re down and weary
don’t you ever forget me
my innocence was my dowry
and now God will show his fury

The God of vengeance
The God of war
the God by which you swore
to abide by his words

I guess you forgot to keep his promise
like you kept me from this
This affront to my dignity
I can’t stand this tragedy

Oh, how the mighty have fallen
brought down like darkened angels
like Cain and Abel
a timeless fable

If you show me your sins
then I’ll show you mine
whoever’s is worse gets to decide
who will leave this trap alive

I know this seems preposterous
how can I make you see
that this is the beginning
of the end for us

The way you kept me like a secret
is how I’ll keep you in the grave
now I have a reason to pray
Let the church say amen