Street Corner Preacher

I see you standing there on the corner
Of Broadway and Wisconsin
Amid the hustle
Of a warm and sunny lunch hour.

Screaming until your vocal cords
Are left tattered and bloody,
"REPENT, ALL YOU SINNERS!"

Passing out pamphlets,
"WELCOME THE LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST INTO YOUR LIVES!"

Sitting at a red light,
I wonder just how deep
Your convictions really lie.

"THE ONLY WAY TO SEE GOD IS THROUGH YOUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!"

The staccato, schizophrenic, machine gun attack continues,
"ALL YOU BLASPHEMERS WILL BURN IN HELL!"

Should I roll down my window
And yell to you my beliefs?
Would you listen?
Or would you yell louder?

But the green light saves you...
...And me.
"THOSE WHO DO NOT BEG FOR FORGIVENESS WILL NOT SEE HEAVEN!"

And so, as I leave your incomprehensible,
Miscellaneous ramblings behind me,
I have to ask myself,
What would you do if nothing but the buildings
Were around to hear you?

---

Originally written:    May 11, 2001
Put online:    November 18, 2001
Discussion:    This poem was written in response to someone I saw at an intersection in downtown Milwaukee around 12:30 PM on April 19, 2001. I had just finished up an appointment and was on my way back to the office when I (along with everyone else out there) was assaulted by this "preacher." Unfortunately, there were very good acoustics at this intersection that day. Needless to say (then why am I saying it?), I don't agree with this man's particular message. It simply reinforces my idea that it is those who are most unsure of their beliefs that are usually the most vocal about them. The stanza about rolling down my window relates to the typical closed-minded nature of most of such people and their absolute refusal to listen to any alternative views.


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