Dear Dr Spong
(After six lectures by Bishop John Spong,
noted author and Bishop of the Episcopal Church)
Now what?
73 years it took me
Through Roman Catholicism
Greek Orthodox, Methodist, Buddhism
4 Years high Anglican 7 times a week
Incense even, serving at the altar,
Then Zen meditation, Republican moderation,
Atheist agnostic and finally swallowing my pride
Presbyterian – Da rolling over in his grave.
First Church I ever joined voluntarily.
And now you.
Great stuff your daily messages.
Us aged love it. We crowd around
Sitting in the rain
While you preach deconstruction,
Intelligence and, with the fervor of evangelism,
Common sense.
Great stuff in deed.
But what are we to do now?
No pearly gates. No wise Peter at the door.
No forgiveness of sins.
No great white father to comfort us
Now at the hour of our death.
Where is the Peace?
Where is the choir of angels?
Where is my opiate of the people?
What are we to do now
That we no longer can cling
To our guns and Bibles?
Dr Spong you had to go
And wrench me back to my
Stubborn humanism and the religion
Of the Golden Rule.
Now at the hour of my death
I have only my own score sheet of
Good and Evil.
Better balance the books,
Wouldn’t you say?
Sean Kevin Fitzpatrick
The Horse's Mouth 