The people’s supplicant,
he pleads
their cause
and bleeds their purses;

He prays for the congregation
tiered before him,
teary-eyed at home,
preying on their fears.

An actor blessed
with thundering voice
and charismatic
charm,

Bible thumping
chest beating
finger pointing.

A performance
worthy of the Hollywood
liberals he despises.

A touch on their foreheads
and the sinners fall
to the floor
at his feet, defeated.

His helpers guide them
from the stage
and the staging
to their checkbooks.

His only hope
is that God
has a sense of humor.