Running on Empty

by John Long   Nov 23, 2007


I AM THE LORD THY GOD
Are we still talking?

THOU SHALT NOT MAKE FOR THYSELF AN IDOL
But those little Buddha statues make great garden ornaments.

THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE LORD'S NAME IN VAIN
Except when the quarterback fumbles or the wife
Tells me her mother is coming to stay.

REMEMBER THE SABBATH AND KEEP IT HOLY
Unless maybe there's a football game on TV.

HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER
Well I did send them a Christmas present off the Internet,
It's not like we're joined at the hip.

THOU SHALT NOT KILL
Obviously that doesn't apply to criminals and enemy soldiers,
And enemy civilians are a bit of a grey area.

THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY
But when I have cyber sex it's not really cheating, not really.

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL
Oh come on! What harm is there in a pirate DVD?

THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR
Whoever wrote that never met my neighbor, he's a bit different, not like us at all.

THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE
But that new Hummer he's got is sweet, and he's just got back from Hawaii.

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Latest Comments

  • 18 years ago

    by Sungrl And Mrs Whatsit

    Thought-provoking, for sure....

    As we watch others manifest these continual contradictions in ordinary life, I am reminded of another great line:
    "Judge not lest you be judged, for by that with which you judge, you shall be judged...".etc,, as they say...'-)
    All of this...yje truth within your articulate poetic imagery, and my own comment, are pieces of the puzzle in the much larger picture of why, many years ago I was inspired to understand, much to the relief of my suffering Soul, that.....

    Religion is from the top down;
    Spirituality is from the inside out...

    Sincerely, and with warm-hearted good will (which is, after all, what is actually mine to give)...
    And, I Thank You so very much for your kind and truly generous words regarding Peace Haikus...I really understand what you were saying...;-)...That piece, by the way, was inspired by my karma with my children....I have thanked them...

  • 18 years ago

    by Lucy Vandenberg

    As a christian I found this entertaining, for some controversial but definetly thought provoking. I love the line aout the little buddah statues in the garden. well done.

  • 18 years ago

    by Jackie

    Good poem Mr B, argumentative in a way, but typical of you, lol

  • 18 years ago

    by oXoIESWYDEOPINoXo

    ...Beautiful WORDS...
    Life is just a series of moments that favor the present.

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