To A Fallen Church

Let listen and attend, who has the ears:
The road is hard, and narrow is the gate.
Live like the lilies in their nature-state,
Put off mere earthly goods and earthly fears;
Then see how fast the path to Heaven clears,
And drop your fare in the collection plate.
(Reluctant travellers may contemplate
The moral force behind our legion spears.)

With this your holy message, your good news,
What solemn saint could keep a smirk at bay?
What honest sinner take this deathly cup?
This basement bargain, who could not refuse:
Your Father's mansion, sold into decay,
A paradise the Devil fled, fed up.

Rev. Sorbus Malbarb