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Amos



​

     Thus saith the Lord:
     A shepherd who tries to rescue
     a sheep from the lion’s mouth
     will only recover two legs
     and a piece of an ear:
     So it will be for the Israelites
     lying on luxurious beds,
     and for the people of Damascus
     reclining on couches.
 
              ―Amos 3:12
             
Birthrights a neurochemical
Grasshoppers licking fentanyl
Straw mats burning 'cross Modesto
Priesthood dressed up all impeccable
Impeaching ecclesiastic genitals       
Prophets stoned on Manifestos
   
  Jerusalem's a Mannequin
     Drooping like a palm tree
  Folsom’s full of prison gold
     A real Vegas V.I.P.
  Esau shoulda sold
     His porridge
  To an actuary
 
Californians flyin’ high out of L-A-X
Sacramento Kings cashin’ all them checks
Prophylactic partiers at the San Diego Zoo
Gods of polyurethane come to pay respects
My ex is selling manna like a used Rolex
Passed out in Pasadena huffing glue and latex
 
  Surf’s up in Miami
     Better catch the red eye
  Dust off your black tie
      We're dining in the Projects
  Gresham’s law
     Is gonna make
  Sinai look like Versailles
     No one's credit's gonna last
  After we die
     
Look! Salt Lake City with her pretty damoiselles
All nip and tuck and eatin’ at the Taco Bell
Granite-hewn marquees display “All-is-Well!”
Selling tithes for tokens (now don’t you tell)
Call a solemn assembly at the New Beth-El
Priest Amaziah’s pinned the Keys on his lapel
 
  What is religion
     But a merry carousel?
  For three sins of Damascus
     Shoppin' at the Dollar Store
  God’s fulgurous word
     Has fallen like a sycomore
  Cactus in my mouth
     A bleeding iron rod
  Tongue’s all saddle sore
     Here in the house of God
Home
© COPYRIGHT 2019 - 2025
  • Home
  • Poetry
    • Fleeing Egypt >
      • Tower of Babel
      • The Orchard
      • Tithing Settlement
      • Chastity for Churches
      • Sign
      • Cleaning House
      • Elijah
      • Rulers of Sodom
      • Beware
      • Two Churches
      • Beginning At My Sanctuary
      • Toll Road
      • Get it Strait
      • Corporation Sole
      • The Religion of the Circle R
      • Fig Tree
      • Eve
      • New Jerusalem
      • Shemlon's Shore
    • Ascending Sinai >
      • Ark
      • Sin of the Calf
      • An Idol Observation
      • Dew from Heaven
      • I love you, Elder Holland
      • Easter
      • How Sweet
      • Haiku
      • The Barn
      • Patron Saint
      • A Conversation with Brigham Young
      • Mine Testimony
      • The Meadow
      • The Gardens
      • Ice Fishing
      • Without End
      • Forest
      • Continental Divide
      • A Great Sacrifice
    • Promised Land >
      • Lanolin
      • Zion
      • Wisdom
      • Take Up Your Cross
      • Was the Sun the Same
      • Plain and Precious
      • Bridegroom
      • Faith
      • Amos
      • But First
      • Wax
      • Parable of the Piano
      • Repentance
      • Wake Up, Child
      • Cold Storage
      • Covered Wagon
      • Multiply and Replenish
      • Rollercoaster
      • The Baptist
    • Seven Stations of the Cross >
      • Jesus Condemned to Die >
        • Life Signs
        • Fashionable Religion
        • Tithing Declaration
        • A Pretty Important Detail
        • Jesus is All
        • Salt Lake Temple
        • Zion in the Lion's Den
        • High Noon
        • Bookmark
      • Jesus Stumbles and Falls >
        • Unveil
        • But Faith
        • Sifting
        • The Ballerina
        • Credit Declined
        • Prayer Circles
        • Work Out Your Salvation
        • Lovebirds
        • Unrequited
      • Simon of Cyrene Bears the Cross >
        • Proxy
        • Chartres
        • Like the Nile
        • Artificial Intelligence
        • Not Born
        • Parable of the Crossing
      • Women of Jerusalem Weep >
        • With A Price
        • Fields of Asphodel
        • Night
        • Desert Rose
        • Goodbye
        • Spring Snow
      • Jesus Stripped of His Garment >
        • Love Letter
        • I am disquieted
        • Dream
        • Noah's Wife
        • Parable of the Five Sons
        • Eggshell
      • Jesus Nailed to the Cross
      • Burial and Resurrection
  • Blog
    • Previous Posts >
      • 2025 Posts
      • 2024 Posts
      • 2023 Posts
      • 2022 Posts
      • 2021 Posts
      • 2020 Posts
  • About
  • Contact