SETTING THE SCENE

Urban convenience-style store, a la K-Mart or Wal Mart. One of those soft rock stations with minimal advertising monotonously drones on the speakers. "What If God Was One Of Us," by Joan Osbourne is currently playing. Nobody pays much attention to it, as usual.

THE SCRIPTURE

A walk so simply, perhaps, cleverly devised..
A middle-aged man roams the store
But, you never see his eyes..
An out-of-place, respectful manner, in fact, it's frowned upon..
School's out: Clowns enter with a racket
Hoping to clown his wand..
Making his way to check-out, he reveals his credit card..
Signs on the line, (G)ary (O). (D)ougherty
Then reconceals embedded scars..
Abruptly gives a "Thank You," makes his way toward the door..
The clowns follow behind, obviously not thankful
For the visit Gary paid to their store..
Displayed with a roar, they scream, "Wait!" in a boisterous tone..
A hand on his shoulder, Gary calmly says:
"Take it back, before you choice is condoned.."
The clowns continue clownin'; By Gary, they're tagged dissident guys..
They knock his bifocals to the ground
Revealed: a pair of magnificent eyes..
He tries to continue, head seemingly scanning the ground..
When he says he's the Almighty King
The clowns laugh, demanding his crown..
At this point, he picks his head up; Sadly, he's brought to their level..
The clowns disperse in every direction
Their minds distraught and embezzled..
Taught by the devil, they were, Gary realized.. Evil stakes claim on Earth
"How did Lucipher find me?" he thinks
"I figured a fake name would work.."
At this point begins a poignant, yet strong and brief eclipse..
Blinded for life, eyes aren't useful
Satan rears his ugly teeth and lips
It doesn't make headlines.. CNN does not report the news
Little things are noticed first
More people resort to booze..
With no savior to worship, the masses' lose fun and lust
So before tempting one to retaliate
Remember: God is one of us

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