clutching bibles but shutting doors

 

clutching bibles but shutting doors

 

 

 

the pews are empty hearts

in a church of desolate streets

 

giving prayers only in signature syllables

but the unsigned charity

is a poem unwritten

 

faith starts with the heart

not in some disfigured beliefs

 

God is in that deep water vehicle

saving lives,

not sitting in a building on Sunday

contemplating his existence

 

all of those dying in deed

all of those who bravely heed

the call to be saviors

 

they have conviction

to embrace the fallen

the drowning,

the ones like Anne Frank 

hiding in attics

holding their breaths

 

religion seems often to be a guise

but really disguises a lack of caring

but for oneself---

and then those in charge double speak

their way out of the pulpit

at the same time never moving an inch

 

much like that storm

that hovered for days

as cities wept

 

and angels shook their heads

in disbelief

at the contradictions and hypocrisy

floating among the debris.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

8/30/17

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Scathing diatribe for religions/churches that fail so miserably in times of crisis, such as now with the Hurricane. It is the everyday heroes out in the floodwaters putting their own lives on the line to rescue people and animals that are the righteous ones. God bless and protect them.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Annette..yes it is very sad,
j.

[Stella Armour]

I can't help thinking that "beautiful is as beautiful does"
The same thought with religion..some of the biggest hypocrites sit in church fawning over idols.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, they do, don't they?
thank you, Stella.
j.

[Relic's Bare Trees]

I'm aware of the subject and person you speak of. I used to watch every Sunday. I found him to be more of a motivational speaker than a pastor.

I suppose he's the perfect example of a fair-weather friend only.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Autumn....
j.

[DIVYA]

God is in that deep water vehicle
saving lives,
not sitting in a building on Sunday
contemplating his existence

A powerful message Mr. Jacob. There is more of God in you and I than in those ornately robed pastors preaching from over decorated pulpits. Thanks for stating so eloquently what I have always believed. Appreciated so much!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, DIVYA...
j.

[DIVYA]

Its a pleasure always.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Jacob you have encapsulated the hypocrisy of religions in this piece, especially the Christian brand. The opening lines have such immediate impact and are so, so telling of the truth. This explains why we have to celebrate the likes of Mother Theresa to convince ourselves religion IS good.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, we celebrate Mother Theresa....she Did the deeds....
thank you, John

j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I tend to believe God is everywhere but I've heard he was known to save the drowning. Poor Peter took his eyes off the Prize. I understand what this is about but I'd like to share this poem with you...NOT one of mine but I've forgotten the author. Yet I memorized the verse. It's called As Peter Loved: "As Peter loved, so love I /and in this fashion/with boastful promises and bursts of passion/with anxious wavering and hot denials/and faith that drowns amid a sea of trials/yet far beyond my fitful love I see/ HIS love/ forever reaching out to me." I think that's one of the most beautiful things I've ever read.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for sharing...beautiful yes, but also so true.
thank you, Fabian.
j.