I Swallowed
--
An original, irreverent poem
Some decades ago,
on the surface of my youth,
my innocence was poisoned.
I swallowed the gospel truth.
Soft parental words
declared so unintending:
this pair, Santa and Jesus,
they’re equally befriending.
Youth always believe
adult-talk as first disposed,
even when stiffly shady
and full of truth so bulldozed.
Santa and Jesus
If they’re real, then — Hooray, yes!
Who was I to pry or doubt
their material success?
These entities of
distinguished hyperfiction
swam in my childhood head
without any restriction.
Jolly St Nick with
presents and dreams coming true.
Dead Jesus with rigid creeds,
A crucifix with hard screws.
Santa left early
from life’s twisted squirrel cage,
leaving life and death behind
Jesus only as a gauge.
During the god-years,
I mingled with followers.
Giving up my life and thoughts
just like other swallowers.
A shaft of beliefs
I chugalugged to look smart,
Not even gays or unborns
could extricate my mouthpart.
A pearl necklace,
the cum-shot of ignored prayers,
my lifetime prize for playing
god’s game of musical chairs.
I sipped the story
hook, line, and made-up sinker
like a girl sucking on the
rod of a one-eyed winker.
Too long I tasted
firm god-wood, large and hallow.
Because I had no clue
I didn’t have to swallow.
