Sooner

Hell's hand basket arrives

sooner and with greater vengeance

as we continue to use

religion to justify political action

instead of to critique it.

The Hebrew scriptures' lessons

go largely unheeded,

as the potential

for prophetic voices is silenced

by absorption into the process.

Power's aphrodisiac

will not be overcome

so long as the prophet's paycheck 

is cut in the royal vault.

Where are the houses

of worship that dare

to listen for a voice crying

in the wilderness; a call

to exchange violence and oppression

for honest dialogue and dignity?

© 2015 Todd Jenkins