Holy Men in Hell
It only takes paying a little attention to tell —
That by the time
the old preachers get to heaven
it will be full
as hell.
And St. Peter will have to take them aside
and explain with a sigh
of someone who’s done this before.
Saying:
Sorry, but we don’t let holy men in anymore.
We just don’t have the beds,
You see too many children —
they ended up dead.
Do you remember that sermon?
What was it you said?
About a “just war,” and warriors of Christ to be lead?
About how you heard the voice
of an old angry god in your head?
So instead of seeing each other, God’s children saw red.
Even after that disgrace —
maybe
maybe
there still would have been space.
But we looked into all those gay kids
who kept killing themselves crying
to try and find out
why so many were dying.
And as it turns out
their tears were holy water that mixed with their blood
the same way our saviors did
When it fell from the cross.
Then we found out who taught them they were damned
and disgusting
and hopeless
and lost.
And I know
I know
I know what you thought.
That your prayers would protect you
because you’ve prayed a lot.
But so did the blessed boys
Preyed upon while they prayed
With only cold crucifixes for comfort
Abused and afraid.
See they came here confused
with anger and scars that we couldn’t refuse
So we gave them the places that you could have used.
Then, finally, St. Peter will stop —
but only because he ran out of breath.
And the old preachers will wail
And demand
And break down
And question the plan
And where god can be found.
They’ll say they were just doing
what they were told was right.
That for every soul darkened
they led thousands to light.
They’ll beg
and they’ll plead
and the foolish will fight.
And St. Peter will sigh
shake his white head and wait
then slowly, so slowly, drag his keys across the gate.
And it will open
only the smallest sliver.
So before they ever have the pleasure
to look upon his face,
a vengeful Father will have the pleasure
to send them down to their fate.
Copyright 2018 by Paul Curry