Oh, bother!
It happened again.
The daily scar of humiliation.

But don’t  let false theologians persuade you
It is a virtue.
For them it is a way —
To sell a book
To engender complacency
To tout a tele-course
To fool with your soul.

While at rock bottom
God sits back,
Has a belly laugh
And huge tankard of monastery lager
At your expense.

Be comforted, though.
He’ll transform it readily
Into that perfect script.
For a jolly
Centenary Fete.

If you’re faithful
His gift, turned upside down,
Ripe for sharing, lasts forever.

Charlene James
Amissville, Virginia
2017