It was just the other day
yes, just the other day
when The Inquisitor
came to pay,
his respects.
 
He showed up not distressed
in Black and Blood like days of old
but in sneakers and tan Dockers
and gleaming dentures smiling bold
so no way,
would one suspect.
 
"I'm Wiley Red
and I've some questions for you"
The old fellow harmlessly said.
"We see,
you are new to our Community
and we'd like to know
what you Believe we need."
 
So says I, a trusting sort,
"Welcome neighbor
come on in, come sit awhile,
water, soda or gin?
Haven't been this place too long
but if here is like there,
and that is my belief,
y'could lower property taxes,
pave this dusty street,
and compassion and understanding,
would be a relief."
 
"No" says he,
pulling out his handy script
like a pure white handkerchief
"you don't understand!
What church do you attend?
What kind of Christian are you?
Are you willing to make Amends?"
poising his pencil and book for noting
my Answers and Stands.
I surmised he wasn't joking.
 
"Well" says I,
"I must admit I don't go to Church
and suspect I'm not a Christian
least Wise not in your definition.
But I would go
yes I would
if you Teach,
Do You preach?
Love thy neighbor as yourself
Do to folks as you'd have 'em do you
Turn that other cheek
when you been beat
and Most of All
the one Commandment,
no I'm sure its unequivocal,
Do not kill!
I'm sure that's God's Will."
 
"So you don't believe in Jesus?"
"Sure, Love his Message,
that's what I was just relaying,
I just don't like Leviticus,
magic and superstition,
Lords and Kings
and Domination."
 
"I'll explain,
'was watchin' TV
just the other day
a commentator courageously aired
the inference,
'We kill, they kill.
What's the difference?'
A man who preached The Word proclaimed,
'We're Christian
and have God's justification'
A cleric of an Eastern faith reframed,
'A Holy war is our God's plan.'
But one lone man,
a Hindu or Boudou or maybe a Jain,
expounded what sounded like Christ,
very straight and plain,
'But what of all the children who have died,
so many thousands more than the soldiers
of your gods you claim by your side. 
Collateral damage you call it.
Your gods condone it?' "
 
"You don't understand Our Lord and God",
his pencil lead worn to a nub
and eyes glaring with resentment,
"to be His instrument
of glory and edification,
His Terror and Retribution."

 

"No" says I,
"guess not,
suppose I flunked

the Christian Test?."
He left in a huff,
no torture, no duress,
seeming angered
I just up and confessed.
 
Now I wait and wonder
whose wrath I may fall under.
Will the FBI
come sneaking by
to see if I'm a spy?
Or just arrest me
and throw me in a hole
for refusing to agree
killing is ever Godly

or Holy.