Empty Churches

Empty, cold, decaying alone,

The “has-been” at the cross roads;

Boards for windows, pigeons for choir,

Once place where men laid down their loads.

 

Once the pastor burned the pulpit;

Fire from heaven that he preached,

Filled the pews and spilled beyond them

Beyond the door, others were reached.

 

Why such empty, hollow churches?

Why the grown-up parking lot?

‘Cause a people that once knew Him

Act now, as though they “knew Him not.” 

– eab, 6/93

Read Full Post »

Winter’s Evening

Tall, empty, and bare,

Are the trees.

That each had their share,

Of green leaves,

To cover skeleton rough,

And supply food enough.

 

Now the trees stand undressed;

Evening’s come.

Time to stop and rest,

Work is done.

Time to lay clothes down,

With a faint rustling sound.

 

And now a new cover’s there,

On each limb;

Laid with mother’s natural care.

Light is dim.

A blanket of snowy fluff,

The night’s brisk cold to bluff. – eab, 11/1966

Penned in Cincinnati, Ohio while pursuing a A B in Literature at God’s Bible School & College

Read Full Post »