I am a Pharisee

someone who clothes himself

in the fine robes of religion

and yet, even the fallen see

that the divine light I once held within myself

has been replaced with a dark tradition

rules crafted with much eloquence, but still only empty

words bellowing a vague promise of health and wealth

while all the while, I’m restless, lost without vision

building bigger without a purpose

other than showing my power

boldly preaching politics

yet, too afraid to utter a quiet word of divine mercy

investing in the world, in things that will falter

with the passing of time

ignoring the fools, the people

who will rise to life eternal

working hard on looking good

is actually pretty good

and more than enough

to fit in

with the emptiness that I’ve always known

the slave I’ve always been

driven by my own secret desires

tossing on the waters of doubt

blown by the ever changing winds of doctrine

sinking in the black sea of my own confusion

is only the start of the show

the grand beginning of my motivational sermon

as the camera zooms closer

I smile and struggle to look sincere

hoping you won’t see through the tear

the wolf hair poking through the seam

of my sheep’s clothing

my designer wonder