Joe Flach Poet Rhyme

Dogmatic Dichotomy

Thomas was a religious man; he went to church every day;
Matthew was an atheist, taking his journey another way.

Thomas prayed for the hungry;
Mathew took them food to eat;
Thomas lit candles for the crippled;
Mathew helped massage their feet;
Thomas put money in the offering;
Mathew helped the poor find work;
Thomas condemned the truly evil man;
Mathew tried to help reform the jerk.

Thomas memorized each bible verse;
Mathew gave books to the book mobiles;
Thomas read parables about multiplying fish;
Mathew helped fix the homeless meals;
Thomas conversed with his God each day;
Mathew talked to strangers on the street;
Thomas sang songs with the chorus group;
Mathew sang the praises of folks he’d meet.

Thomas was a religious man, living life as the church said he should;
Mathew was an atheist, driven to do for his fellow man all that he could.

Lesson to be learned:  Being religious does not necessarily mean we are doing all the good we can; and, being non-religious is not necessarily synonymous with being evil.

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Mark Peterson February 21, 2014 at 12:37 AM Very nice Joe. Easy to read, flowing and precise--gets the message across perfectly. I am reminded of he difference between "I tell the truth" and "I am honest." The first is what one does. The other is what one is. Joe Flach February 21, 2014 at 12:02 PM Mark, thanks for the input. You must have searched my list of poems to find a title that appealed to you - I am honored. You might have noticed that I have many - so, I have dabbled in a few different techniques and have tried easy and complex. I am, pretty much, a simple man, so most of my poems reflect that. Thanks again for taking the time to sample and comment.

Kathryn Collins July 28, 2013 at 7:48 AM I want to comment, but it is all so complicated. Live and let live. love, Kathy

Seren Roberts July 28, 2013 at 2:44 AM I second all you have written, its not what you say,as in prayers,its what you do day by day to help others.....Seren

Delysia Hendricks July 27, 2013 at 2:54 PM Bravissima, Joe. Religous does not necessarily spell good or equate to godliness, for that matter. I'm with you on this score. Good one, my friend. Licia :-)