CALLINGS

The polished sun of noon by sunset turned to rust.
The horizon was aflame, the prairie coughed up dust.
The chirring locusts greeted the husky-throated night.
A churchhouse on the hill spilled out an amber light.
A beacon to the sinners to come hear Preacher Paul.

The evening show commenced as Paul sang "Free From Sin."
Assisting on the organ his third wife, Geralyn.
His restless daughter Dinah stood sulking in the apse.
The wooden rafters trembled with the faithful's thund'ring claps.  
Just inside the entryway, three silent strangers stood.  

Never had these three set foot in church before.  
Their leader Brett scowled and muttered as he swore.
Handsome Dan, a ladies man, smiled and scanned the pews
While his nervous nephew Thomas stared at his own shoes.
Brett and Dan had missions, only Thomas had a doubt.  

"I began a ragged man of cloth," Preacher Paul proclaimed.  
"And now I know God's bounty, for which I'm not ashamed.
Ask yourself, 'What's my purpose?'  Your answer, 'It's the Lord!'"
The faithful cried "Amen,"  their voice in one accord.
A lone dissentor said, "To take back what I'm owed."

Ten years back, in a silver town, an unmanned train passed through.
A posse searched the tracks and found the wandering crew.
Two crooks were caught nearby, already gagged and bound.  
Their double-crossing partner and twelve grand were never found.  
While Brett and Dan served time, their partner served the Lord.  

Said Paul, "Choose God, not Mammon," as the tithing basket filled.
When Geralyn's eyes met Brett's she felt a sudden chill.
Dan sent a wink to Dinah, and she winked back in fun.
He knew he had to hurt her, he knew she'd be the one.
Freshly ruined flesh was the only love he knew.

When Paul announced the altar call the weeping Thomas knelt.
Dan escaped with Dinah to explain just how he felt.
Brett spoke to his partner to demand what he was due.
Outside a vacant barn they made their rendezvous.
She arrived with loot in hand, and now four thousand more.

Brett kept a soft spot for a bribe and for his partner's charms.
Geralyn leaned against him dissolving in his arms.   
Inside the barn Dinah screamed as Handsome Dan attacked.  
Geralyn intervened and stabbed him in the back.  
She too had been a victim of his ruining touch.  

Before the rising sun, Geralyn rode out of town.
She'd tried to flee her demons but her demons tracked her down.
At Sunday's service Dinah sat, her father at her side,
Shouting, "Hallelujah" as Brother Thomas testified.  
Paul scanned the crowded pews to find his future wife.

Copyright © 2006 martin david hill

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