They brought you bad theology on a plate
– oh, they meant well; Christians always do
– but they withdrew and left you to your fate.
Their love, no doubt, was better than others’ hate
but illnesses they brought with them were new
as bad theology on a silver plate.
They surely taught you that the hour was late
and left their Testaments, both Old and New
when they withdrew and left you to your fate.
They brought new skills you couldn’t use – Oh, great!
– but you forgot the things you used to do
and learned their bad theology on a plate.
The deal was too one-sided – now you wait,
your young unfed, your yards untilled, and who,
since they withdrew, will save you from your fate?
Faith, hope and love are lost – there remains hate,
and all their teaching is no use to you.
They brought you bad theology on a plate
and then withdrew, leaving you to your fate.
Jonathan Atkinson
2018
Whitby Writers Group 