deepundergroundpoetry.com
American Churches
A pastor Jim Schulz resides there.
The one we pass along the road
whose lettered sign deplores
excuse for sin, and extols grace.
My bland and musty Anglia faith
askance observes this Pentecostal wrath,
the churches like warehouses of the soul,
the Wal-Mart for your Christ-shaped whole.
We see five churches on one block,
some pillared and tall, and some very small,
and one a single office stuck between
a van rental and nail bar, it seems.
Religion’s as common as commerce out here,
competing with Mammon, and Pepsi, and fear.
The one we pass along the road
whose lettered sign deplores
excuse for sin, and extols grace.
My bland and musty Anglia faith
askance observes this Pentecostal wrath,
the churches like warehouses of the soul,
the Wal-Mart for your Christ-shaped whole.
We see five churches on one block,
some pillared and tall, and some very small,
and one a single office stuck between
a van rental and nail bar, it seems.
Religion’s as common as commerce out here,
competing with Mammon, and Pepsi, and fear.
Published 17th Feb 2025
Author's Note
Picture taken by me in Anchorage, Alaska.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 4
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Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
17th Feb 2025 11:50am
The "Christian" faith is very divided over definition of what "Christian". A divided house will fall.
17th Feb 2025 4:35pm
churches as common as barbers over here, eh.
I suppose it’s something for the weekend ..
I suppose it’s something for the weekend ..
18th Feb 2025 12:08pm
'An Englishman in Alaska' has the hint of a film. Play nicely with them bears ;)
20th Feb 2025 10:23pm
Oh, church! Where the choir book basically just looks like a naughty list to me, and those angelic voices are just a warm-up for the real music happening in the back room. I mean, who knew that while the choir’s harmonizing about heavenly virtues, I’m just sitting there imagining all the fun I could be having? If only they knew the real reason I’m ‘lifting my voice’ in praise! I suppose I am just lucky I don't burst into flames crossing the threshold but I think I am here to test peoples' faith, I am doing holy work... ;)
