Artwork © Eric N. Peterson

 

Backup Jesus
7/23/22

Backup Jesus
Donning a blonde toupee
Morphing face
Weak at his feet
Strong beliefs in him

Spitting contempt
Honors his starlings with empty promises
Led them into the wall
After fluffing up feathers
And petting egos

Feeding thick that they’re sharp
His facial expressions are enough
To bond hate groups
Who aim thoughts and prayers
To the god they share, his son, and backup pawn

Faith is good enough
Facts mean nothing to the birds
Who collectively laugh at those less fortunate
Chuck paper towel rolls into the ocean
Words aren’t too important here

Lowbrow appeal achieved
Just needed the big numbers for cheap
Gather prayers like they’re currency
Reach for guns and religion
Cheer on digging up the ancient

Burn all against bible interpretations
Bringing us back to ‘Back in the Day’
When reality wasn’t the same
Elevate stand-in Jesus
Then force once-free neighbors to obey

Only Christianity matters in the USA
Thoughts and prayers believed to be answered
Once there’s marriage of church and state
Power and control over objects and bodies
Distract us and play on us all wanting lives saved

 

A native New Englander, Julianne Powers is an artist, poet, and writer residing in Southern Maine. She is passionate about nature and has spent most of her life working with plants and animals. Julianne spent years studying classical guitar and herbalism. She crafts jewelry, paintings, and various creations when she’s not writing or out in her garden.\

Eric N. Peterson is from Atlanta, Ga. He’s been drawing cartoons all his life. He leans towards the absurd, imaginative, and the surreal, as that’s where all the flavor is.