Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action ~ 1John 3:18
THE BELLS CHIME OUT, THE MONSTER STALKS
NO ONE WITHIN THE PALACE TALKS
THE FAITHFUL RISE IN DEEP RESPECT
AND BEND THEIR KNEES TO GENUFLECT
WHILE KNEELING IN THIS HOLY PLACE
ALL EYES ARE ON THE MONSTER’S FACE
THEY’VE COME TO PLEAD AND BEG FOR GRACE
DECEIVED SO BY THE LIE OF FAITH
THEY DRINK DEEP OF THE HOLY BOOK
ALL EYES ATTEND THE MONSTER’S LOOK
NONE KNOW THE EVIL THINGS HE’S DONE
THE LIVES HE’S SHATTERED ONE BY ONE
AND ALL BEAR WITNESS BUT NONE SEE
THAT HIDDEN IN HIS HOMILY
ARE TWISTED WORDS OF SECRET LUST
AMID THE LIES OF TRUTH AND TRUST
BUT I KNOW WELL WHILE I CAN SEE
THE MONSTER THERE IN FRONT OF ME
IMPRISONED IN HIS ROBES OF FAITH
THAT FOR THIS HOUR I’LL BE SAFE
OH, WHO WOULD GUESS THIS MAN COULD BE
THE HIGH PRIEST OF HYPOCRISY
ANNOINTED FROM THE CHRISM WELL
AND BORN TO FEED THE FIRES OF HELL
FOR WHEN THE MONSTER’S TOUCHING ME
HE SIGHS, “RELAX, NO ONE CAN SEE.”
BUT I SAY, “GOD MUST BE AWARE.”
THE MONSTER SMILES, “GOD DOESN’T CARE.”
SOMETIMES HE TAKES ME TO A PERCH
HIS SECRET PLACE WITHIN THE CHURCH
WHERE I BEG, CRYING, PLEADINGLY,
“PLEASE, FATHER, DON’T. YOU’RE HURTING ME.”
YET MY CRIES FALL ON EVIL EARS
THE MONSTER ONLY LAUGHS AT TEARS
EACH TIME HE MAKES ME LIVE THIS LIE
I CLOSE MY EYES AND PRAY TO DIE
AND IN THE PENETENTIAL ROOM
AS COLD AND DARK AS ANY TOMB
THERE THROUGH THE GAUZY FILTERED NET
I SEE THE MONSTER’S SILLOUETTE
TRAPPED IN THIS MAD, NIGHTMARISH WAY
THE MONSTER ORDERS ME TO PRAY
I’M FORCED TO BEG ON BENDED KNEE
FORGIVENESS FOR THIS MISERY
BUT NOW HIS HANDS ARE LIFTED UP
HE HOLDS ON HIGH THE HOLY CUP
THE SACRAMENT OF BREAD AND WINE
FOREVER, NEVER WILL BE MINE
THUS MELD BY BEAUTEOUS INSPIRATION
AWED BY TRANSUBSTANTIATION
CATHOLICS CRYING, “WE BELIEVE!”
ARE BEGGING NOW TO BE DECEIVED
TO END THE PLAY HE MAKES THE SIGN
THAT ONCE TO ME WAS SO DIVINE
THE FEAR RETURNS, THE PEOPLE PASS
THE MONSTER’S FINISHED SAYING MASS
EPILOGUE
(35 YEARS LATER)
I’VE ONLY JUST RECEIVED THE NEWS
I’M SO RELIEVED TO SAY
I NEED NOT FEAR HIM ANYMORE
THE MONSTER DIED TODAY.
THE IDENTITY OF THE MONSTER IS FATHER FRANZ ROBIER
BORN: MARCH 2, 1912 – DIED: APRIL 22, 1994
WHETHER OR NOT THE MONSTER RESTS IN PEACE
IS IN GOD’S HANDS.