The Holy Runway
63
I entered the fashion show
to learn about Jesus.
Extravagant ornamentation lead me
to marble coffee tables
where the faithful could devour
free fair trade coffee
while talking about the latest
My Chemical Romance record.
Through the mass of humanity,
I pushed and shoved
my way
to a cushy seat,
eager to worship.
To learn.
Before me
a sea of ironically mustached hipsters
with hair coiffed like spun gold
and jeans showing off packages
so tightly
that they threatened to wipe out
the hipster race.
Indecent young women
flaunting ample cleavage
and plastic faces.
Music from finely tuned musicians
blared
behind a light show,
distorting the message.
but the band looked good
in their tattoo sleeves,
Abercrombie skinny jeans
and five hundred dollar
leather shoes.
They made way for the
Handsome orator, who,
with pomposity,
spoke of the dangers of lust
and sex
while reminding
the adoring hipster lackeys,
so pretty,
so finely manicured,
that God looked at the inside,
man
on what adorned. The lackeys
cheered and clapped.
I could hear jewelry tinking gently
beneath the uproar.
As I got up to leave, a sour laugh
emerged longingly from my lungs.
Laughter bred from a longing
for a safe place
to worship and learn.
Where no one would care
about my fashion,
my tattoo collection,
my musical tastes,
my bank account.
A place where I could worship
without cheating on my wife
with my eyes.
all rights reserved. copyright Justin W. price Jan 4th, 2012.
More poems. Most not scathing indictments.
- Burial and Retrieval
a love poem about a sweet old dog - Can't Pin These Wings
i had a bird that flew away - One of Those Days by PDXKaraokeGuy
I like the rain - Two Seconds
a lot can happen in two seconds - Up on Roofs
it's easy to hide our bad habits at night- but what does morning bring?
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This seemed like you began your poem as if you were lady gaga somehow, lol. It sort of sounds like something she would say in an interview.
I loved every bit of your hub, nice job bro. Awesome stuff & getting voted up indeed.
Thanks coolmon. I'm pleased that you enjoyed this!
I enjoyed reading this interesting and thought provoking poem, thanks.
limpet, thanks for stopping by. The main point of the poem wad the phony culture and the hypocrisy of this particular church. I just wanted a simple service where I could learn and worship and instead I went to a place where people were more concerned with feeding their primal mating needs then any sense of worship or awe. it was very disheartening. I have since found a church that is what I'm looking for. Churches are supposed to be separate from the outside world, but I felt like thsi church was firmly rotted in the world. It just kind of turned my stomach even though, to know me personally, is to know that I am generally a free spirit, not a conservative and all about creativity and free expression. I can't really explain to me why this church bothered me, but it did, and it's obviously stuck with me.
Thanks for your kind read and thoughtful comment!
hello pdxkaraokeguy,
i flagged this poem as very interesting. there is a distinctly wide difference between reality and what we think as ideal, sometimes we are too quick to assume that everybody behave and acts according to our expectations. from the things we are taught, to the information we are fed even from the lessons we have learned as we grow up, it is not always the same for everyone.
if you are to go to a place like a racy runway (even if the venue was set up in the house of god or for a charity event... sadly this happens) expect the cultures, behaviors and thought patterns of the fashion artist. it is their world, and the trend they set is the language of the highly ornamental painted bodies of perfection. promoting ones self through wild indulgence are the language of expression and art.
if you are to go to a conservative church, then the world of prayers, devotion and selfless service are the music that set the beat, ethical and moral guidelines are the jewelry, and compassion and understanding trumps the call.
i do not think that it is bad to experience what you just did once in a while, in fact, i am sure there is this nagging though in your head, the need to challenge yourself if you could actually fit in to such a crowd.
some people actually think they belong to a little of both... but for now at least, you know where your place is in this world.
thank you,
limpet
i agree, seek. A church is supposed to be set apart and holy, not a den of vipers and lust. it's distracting and disgusting. Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words!
Well--it sounds like the people who needed to hear that message were probably there! I wonder what people thought of Jesus when He went and hung out with the "sinners." Oh yeah, the Bible says it--they were offended. That's outreach. But a church building, with the church people--(the called out ones)--this I wonder about. The church is called to go be a light in the world--not to become like the world. But God does look at what is inside. The religious people of Jesus time looked "perfect" on the outside but they were the ones Jesus got angry with. I think your poem has set me off on a little tangent here. :-) Thanks for sharing--you truly are talented.
rebecca, sadly, I think a good many people can. it's sad really. I'm sure that that's not what the Lord intended His church to be like.
I for one can definitely relate to this poem from at least two perspectives through the years from youth to adult. Another Great One from the PDX Guy.
Thank you, Kashmir. I'm pleased you found this entertaining and thought provoking!
A very thought provoking and very well written poem,which made it a very enjoyable read . Thanks for sharing it !
Vote up !!!
b malin, I will be stopping by. Thanks for your visit and commentary!
Gypsy, I appreciate your unique perspective. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment!
Movie Master and April, thanks very much. it's nice to write and get feedback. I'm glad you guys enjoyed this!
Excellent poem, excellent point. Way to true and I hope it is taken to heart. Well done.
I agree - well written and awesome hub. voted up.
There is a time for one thing or another and sometimes we attempt to mix tog?ther things that shouldn't be. Like in Soviet Union timeshere in Latvia they changed churches into everything from shops to offices. Not only that but we still have parks which we walk through which were once cemeteries and the mausoleums and grave stones still can be seen here and there and I always wonder who I'm stepping on when there's no marker.
Isn't it Do as I say, not as I do? Seriously, I think God has a Good sense of Humor, and sees us for what we are, not what we aren't. Wonderful, Explosive Hub "PDK"...makes for good Commentary.
Now PLEASE visit my LAST Hub, not the same one...Ok!
artist- don't worry about a thing. Comments are good, especially divergent ones. if I was really offended or put out, I wouldn't approve them!
Poet, very true, though I may end up changing the ending. I'm not sold on it.
Amy, I think they were trying to sell the same thing that those hipster kiddos were trying to sell.
Ruby, I agree. Were at church to worship the lord, the Creator, the Saviour, not flesh or humanity!
I am in full agreement with you. There are times and places for all occasions. Dressing provocative in church is a no no , my opinion..
Brought to mind the Victoria's Secret Christmas special, a show designed to sell...I just haven't quite figured out what. Brilliant, PDXK!
Outstanding commentary on the vast difference between what is said and what goes on in too many houses of worship!
I also apologize if it seems I hijacked your hub comments lol, I did not mean to.
Yes it does, and I don't want you to think I missed the great stuff and points about this hub, because I addressed that one comment, I did not. I also do agree with you in that way, and in that extreme sure I do not think that is right, I just felt like it got very close borderline oppressive in thought to blame woman for a guys internal observations and thoughts. :)
artist I feel like you misunderstood my point. The main point of this hub is that some churches seem to stress style over substance and it really makes me mad. It's like walking into a fashion show, where mean and women flaunt their goods to find a mate. That doesn't seem right to me. I'm definitely not conservative in my life, religion or politics, but I do get frustrated that sometimes I can't go to church without having boobs in my face. It's my fault for looking, but it also seems indecent to dress like that at church. Does that make sense? Thanks for stopping by again!
See that is horrible in my opinion, guys are not the only visual beings, lol I am an artist and I am very visual, is a mans aftershave not enticing itself or his cologne. Tighter pants that form close to his body not visually jerking as well for a woman? Even if a woman wears a long dress where do you draw the line, unless it is a baggy sheet that does not touch certain parts, a woman's body is extremely curvy and thus clothes drape a certain way. Is there no ownership of ones thoughts and an easy way to understand, sure thoughts are thoughts but what keeps me from acting is my loving wife? As a wife to be soon, I know and understand my husbands humanity but in our vows I also know he would not act, just as I would not with another man. Sure there are extremes to both, guys wearing jeans that fit girls and guys who feel the need to pretty much strip for any reason to show off his pecks, or woman wearing shirts that are so low you would swear a nipple might pop out, but all and all I feel like your view is a little close to middle eastern way of thinking.---- Not trying to be offensive at all, and I wish we were face to face to have the conversation, but as an American woman privileged to grow up with just as much rights as a man, I feel that way of thinking is far from my own. So I guess what I am saying is I agree to disagree I just hope that, that type of enforcement thinking does not digress our rights as woman. (I am also far from a feminist lol!) Hope this comes off the way I mean it too in text. What I love the most is the conversation that your hub has brought out, this is one of my favorites!
missingyou, I'm glad you enjoyed this!
Racin, those are very true words and that's what i was trying to capture with this poem.
Asmaif, you're very welcome!
Mathira, thank you. I'm glad you were able to picture the scene!
anartist, thanks for reading and for the compliment. It's a two way street. Men are very visual so when women dress provocatively, men look and then their minds wander. Women should be aware of this so that their way of dress won't lead men to unnecessary temptation. Not that I am in any way opposed to cleavage. i just don't want to be exposed to it when I'm at church :-) Thanks for the follow.
feenix, I'm glad you udnerstood the message!
Arusho, thanks for the comment and the follow.
Awesome hub! You wrote it wonderfully!
Hey, PDX,
This is an awesome and beautiful work of art that packs a powerful message.
I really liked your hub, you are definitely on your way to 'perfecting' your writing skills :) I have to ask the question from that last sentence, or maybe it is more of a statement, what is scary is how so many guys might think this, but some actually lash out and blame the women, hurting them. Not dealing with their own feelings or putting such a hardship on natural human thought, that then they can not deal individually and turn to blaming the women. That scares me more than hypocrisy. Voted up and following :) Thanks for the brain exercise this morning.
I could literally visualize you being disturbed by the din and seeking a calm place to seek god. Wonderful hub PDXKGuy.
A thought provoking hub.Thanks for sharing.Voted up dear.
this is a great hub and for me the best PDX...yeah, we need not conform to this world for God looks at our heart not our outward look...
Hello PDXKGuy. This is awesome.
PDXKaraokeGuy Hub Author 3 months ago
Thanks cloudexplorer. You may be right about Lady gaga...