"A Window" and "Preacher Man"

poetry by Ronald C. Campbell

The following poem shows life from an underside of life most of us don’t want to consider: prison. Its bleak perspective belies the song-like quality of its rhythm and words.

The second poem begins with description and a narrative, but soon takes a turn. Don’t miss them!

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A Window

by Ronald C. Campbell

 
I see a window where the light comes in

Same scene I seen a thousand times before

It may mean a lot to you, my friend

But a sunrise just don't mean as much anymore

 
Walk up to that window, let the sun caress my skin

105, mid-July, but I still feel cold

And you may smile as this new day begins

But to me it's just gettin' old

 
So I draw the curtain, keep the sunlight out

Try to sleep away another day

As the corners of my mind fill up with doubt

Wonder if I'll ever be okay

After this I'll never be okay

 
I saw a window where the light came in

Same scene I seen a thousand times before

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Preacher Man

by Ronald C. Campbell

 
As I walk down a street, unfamiliar

Drunk and stumblin', bottle in my hand

Make my way to a crowded corner

People watchin' a preacher man

 
Well, the preacher, he's dressed like a beggar

And his words rush out in a flood

In his hands he's clutchin' a Bible

And he's screamin' 'bout fire and blood

 
Most folks are laughin', but some folks are listenin'

As he tells us what awaits after the grave

For my own part, I just watch the preacher's eyes

As he's countin' up the souls that he can save

One hand on the Bible, one foot in the grave

 
As the preacher's words they wash on over me

My stomach feels like it's about to turn

That ain't no preacher, man. That there's a demon.

Didn't come to save us, but to watch us burn.

He ain't your savior. He come to burn

 
I get to thinkin' and I come to a decision

Unmask the demon and expose his lies

Wrestle the bastard down onto the ground

As the police cuff my hands I realize

That ain't no demon. He's just a preacher man

 
As I walk down a street, unfamiliar

Brand new town off in a distant land

Make my way onto a local church's doorstep

Think there's somethin' odd about that preacher man

Photo by Daniele Colucci on Unsplash

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Meet the Author:

My name is Ronald Campbell, but I go by Chris. I'm a guitar player, songwriter, storyteller, game designer and aspiring comic. I've been interested in telling stories my entire life, through any method I can find. I love to make people laugh, especially when it's an inappropriate time. I haven't stopped trying to pull laughter from people even though I'm currently in prison, where there isn't traditionally much to laugh about. I see the underside on a daily basis in prison, but I try to bring fun into my world whenever I can.

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