Here is a tale of two churches,
Churches you have seen around.
One church was from a busy city,
The other from a quiet town.

They gathered in the name of God,
To worship Him and give Him praise,
Yet, methods used were each their own;
They worshiped Him in many ways.

When one church sang its joy-filled hymns;
The other made no sound.
"Your church sings songs with arms up high.
Our church sings with them down."

When communion came around,
The city's church had none.
"Your church partakes from many cups.
Our church partakes from one."

When it came time for all to leave,
They nearly had a fight
Over who should lead the closing prayer;
Each claimed they did it right."

Now Satan watched from fiery Hell
And laughed an evil laugh.
"These people, though unwittingly,
Work hard on my behalf.

One in Christ they had a chance
To win come Judgement Day.
Divided, I will have them quick.
They will be easy prey."

Copyright © 1997 by Randal A. Burd, Jr.

Publications: St. Augustine, FL: The Candlelight Poetry Journal, Fall 1997

Author's Note: Poems viewed here are the latest versions and are not necessarily word-for-word as published.