Poetry born from the pain of abuse, written by a woman who was counseled by her pastor during a major transition in her life. Her pastor was a predator who used his charisma and Biblical authority - along with speed seduction techniques - to deceive and exploit her in therapy. Validating for other victims and informative for those with no clue about the sly predators in our pulpits.
I was invited to a feast
Among the minions, I was least
The leader stood and spoke kind words
His eye was on this wounded bird
His calculations proved correct
Deep down inside I was a wreck
The damaged one who lagged behind
An ingénue, in essence, blind
With smiling eyes, he fixed my plate
He fed me cruel sadistic hate
With shepherd’s arms, strong to protect
He placed the noose around my neck
A predator, a charming shark
Whose work was hidden in the dark
He used charisma to buy fame
in a career immune from blame
He crushed my faith, he warped my mind
He cut my bough from off the Vine
He stole my passion, livelihood, and called it very, very good.
Using Calgary as a backdrop the author satirizes the self-serving nature of the public as it continues to fatten itself, not only physically, but egotistically as well.
