The Preacher

FredPeyer



This Poem was inspired by and is in tribute to

the song 'Ticket to Heaven'

by the Dire Straits

 

Sally is listening with rapt attention

Mesmerized by the honeyed voice

Slave to his penetrating eyes

He is leaving her no choice

 

Writing down the address on the screen

Her checkbook on her knees

She gives him all she has

Oh preacher, save me please

 

The children will go hungry for a while

But it’s for all their good

Sacrifices must be made

This has to be understood

 

Her heart swells with gratitude and joy

Goes out to the man on the screen

He is changing her drab existence

Bettering her life from what has been

 

A woman enters the stage

Begins to speak in tongues

Sally’s mouth stays open

She knows where she belongs

 

She keeps on sending money

To the man with the diamond rings

For a chance at a place in heaven

A white gown and pair of wings

 

And while she experiences bliss

And satisfaction in her heart

Her family, life, and job

Are falling all apart

 

There is no money to buy food

No money to pay the rent

It is on dreams and illusions

That it has been spent

 

Soon Sally is evicted

The kids are in foster care

The man on TV is happy

He always gets his share

  • Author: Alfred Peyer (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: January 26th, 2018 00:12
  • Category: Reflection
  • Views: 51
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Comments5

  • Michael Edwards

    Sadly this has been reality for many conned by false hope - a great work Fred.

    • FredPeyer

      Thanks so much Michael, you are right, there are still snake oil salesmen out there! And I do love the song by Dire Straits. Actually love a lot of their songs.

    • Goldfinch60

      Very good write, there are so called "preachers" out there who are just looking for financial gain.

      • FredPeyer

        Thank you Goldfinch, and unfortunately there always seem to be gullible souls!

      • orchidee

        I know what you mean Fred. There was a smug con-man preacher in some film. Possibly a James Bond film. He would always say 'Bless your heart' mostly when they gave him money!
        It was a semi-humorous way, but it gets sickening in reality.

        • FredPeyer

          Thanks Orchidee! I did not want to upset anybody with this poem. But there is legitimate religion and there is con-religion. Personally, when somebody says 'Praise the lord', 'Thank you Jesus' more than twice in a minute, I get careful. Unfortunately there are people taking advantage of other people in the name of religion. And that is plain wrong! But it has been happening for a long, long time! And sadly to say, I think it will never change. You know the expression: There is a sucker born every minute!
          But believe me, orchi, I am NOT trying to put down legitimate religion.

          • orchidee

            I understand Fred! Even in Jesus' days, He ranted at a group of PRIESTS, the holy men, who were hypocrites. They got some of His sharpest words, and they were not \'meek and mild\' words, but things like 'You snakes!'

          • 2 more comments

          • Louis Gibbs

            Your poem speaks for itself, Fred, and quite well indeed. Re your response to Orchidee ... to me, "legitimate religion" is an oxymoron.

            • FredPeyer

              Thanks Louis! It does, doesn't it? Am not so sure about the oxymoron though, maybe I should have called it something else instead of 'legitimate'.

            • lasergraph

              The television is especially full of these guys, who build dynasties at the expense of the poor.

              • FredPeyer

                Thanks lasergraph, you got that right!



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