Say, Amen!

Summary

"Say, Amen!" is a reflective story-poem that delves into themes of time, divinity, and human relationships, questioning traditional notions of God and exploring personal rebellion and redemption.

Abstract

The poem "Say, Amen!" by Harley King presents a surreal narrative that challenges conventional religious imagery and beliefs. It portrays time as a restrictive force, God as a detached figure, and the devil as a trivial creation. The speaker reflects on a past relationship, grappling with the complexities of love, sacrifice, and the search for truth. The poem suggests a personal revolt against divine authority, with the speaker ready to confront societal norms. Despite the absurdity and chaos of the world, there is a tender moment of vulnerability and forgiveness between the speaker and their lover, underscored by the poem's final call to say "Amen."

Opinions

The author presents God as a distant, almost irrelevant figure, not the traditional benevolent creator.
The poem conveys a sense of disillusionment with organized religion, as seen in the portrayal of the devil as a mere caricature.
The speaker's relationship with their lover is complex, involving elements of deep connection and shared delusion.
Time is personified as an oppressive force, keeping humanity from understanding life's deeper questions.
The poem suggests a need for personal rebellion and a reevaluation of societal and religious constructs.
There is an underlying tone of nihilism, yet the poem ends with a note of hope or at least a plea for peace, as indicated by the final "Amen."

A Story-Poem

Canva-Photo by annca — 1564471

The ticking of the clock rubs its way into my dreams. I scratch the stubble on my chin and wonder about our future together. We are lost in a field of wild flowers. Time is a mechanism to hold us prisoners and to keep us from understanding the answers to the eternal questions. God is not our Maker, or the giver of life. He is an old man sitting on a dilapidated throne, smiling at the silly jokes of His queen. And yet, you have constructed an altar in His honor. You have sacrificed your blood for His love. I dance on your grave and pray for the salvation of your soul. The devil is a cardboard character cutout from a cereal box and given to the masses. You were my lover in the autumn of our years and taught me how to lie to myself. We walked casually through the field of wild dreams and made love in the heart of a rose. Listen and do not forget. The time of the rebellion is at hand. The clocks have been set and God has given authorization for the unleashing of the demons. I stand with sword in hand, ready to slice through the flesh, and open the hearts of thousands. You laugh at my craziness and wish me success on my journey into some distant future that will not be written into the history books. God has dementia and has forgotten His promise to the children that loved Him and called Him Blessed. You take me into your arms and pull me tight against your breasts. We whisper in the dark about the times we almost lost our sanity and beg for forgiveness beneath the darkened moon. Climb the ladder through the layers of clouds in the heart of heaven and check if God is still sleeping. The clock is ticking. The game is over. The crown has been stolen. I kiss your lips and piss all over myself. Thank God for laundromats. Say, Amen, my child.