Daver Austin Poet Tanka

Preacher

PREACHER

the preacher explains
as he travels tracks on his palm
he is on god’s path
helter-skelter tracks indeed!
the midnight express toots warning

reverend smith
with his superior air
mounts the podium
from the loft i can see
through the tear     his underwear

after sunday service
a hundred dollar bill in the collection plate
“praise the lord!” says smith
to himself     quietly covering it
with a five dollar bill

Dave Austin

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Julia Ward March 21, 2015 at 11:23 AM A slice of American life for me to read about in France. Julia, xx

Funom Makama January 28, 2015 at 8:27 AM Great lines with blesed words. Thanks for the magnificient share. I hope the new year is going well so far..

Jaycee Cervenka January 23, 2015 at 11:53 AM The hypocritical preacher espousing fire and brimstone only to grease his own palms. He should be careful, grease and brimstone are a dangerous combination. Daver Austin January 24, 2015 at 10:42 AM Thanks for the information. Let's have some more poetry from you. Love, daver

Andrea Dietrich January 17, 2015 at 10:41 AM Daver, in response to what you messaged me, yes, I think there are many swindlers of religion out there and they give a bad name to the others. For them, I think it is all about glory.

Andrea Dietrich January 16, 2015 at 8:19 PM the first one made me think of palmistry, Daver. Did you mean that he had many lines in his palms. I am interested in that because my right palm is very much helter skelter, and I always wondered what it meant. Love the part about seeing his underwear. hahaha Daver Austin January 17, 2015 at 10:07 AM I just mean there are many tracks on the palm of the hand and then the old 'judge not that ye be not judged' as brought to mind by the train.

Michelle Mac Donald January 10, 2015 at 6:42 PM Oops, you saw his knickers, Daver. "A hundred dollar bill" for a new pair of trousers? Had been sneaky trying to hide it. Hope you're having a wonderful new year and don't find yourself in the clutches of the cold snaps. Keep well, stay safe and warm! Love, Mikki

Maurice Yvonne January 10, 2015 at 7:29 AM Intelligent, funny and beautifully written.

David Meade January 8, 2015 at 8:20 AM I was just glad he was wearing underwear!! Great wit my friend.

David Fisher January 7, 2015 at 7:59 PM This is funny. Smith should know god is an auditor.

Jan Allison January 7, 2015 at 5:22 PM made me giggle Dave:-) hugs Jan xx

Barbara Gorelick January 7, 2015 at 3:37 PM I think he visited our small town when I was a child. wonderful piece Dave-r..I laughed at the underwear line. BG