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Black Suits
By La Belle Rouge

“Do you know Jesus?” They ask
while you silently ponder,
“Perhaps not the one you know
do they resemble each other?”

They tip toe around death beds
clothed in dark, tailored suits
and conservative ties
Whispering tired condolences
Seeking souls
to "Save"

Or members to add
to their bulging church roles
and money to their full coffers

All is so simplistic
The dying
inflicted pain on all he touched

But now all is well because
he told someone else's pastor,
a total stranger
he was “alright” with God

And so religious platitudes
and Bible verses about paradise
flow to soothe the grief stricken

While the black suited
smooth tongued cleric
never suspects their tears fall
more from the past pain
than the present loss

And you’ve had more “religion”
in three days than you can stand
in a lifetime, still you hope
he has peace at last

Numbed, you keep silent
and your tears
contribute to the grand illusion

The dead go away
(but never the pain)
"He has gone to eternal bliss
to wait his family reunion"
The man of God assures them

But the Bible verses
fool no one and you know
it's really the past
they need to be "Saved" from

And they’re not sure
they want to see him again


10/1/2008 La Belle Rouge