Lies And False Poem by David Mitchell

Fellow sinner, how I wonder
As I read your statement odd,
What has led you to this blunder
As regards the Word of God.

I suspect you have not read it –
Nor, to tell the truth, have I;
Though it is not to my credit,
Nor, at least, is it a lie.

Genesis to Revelation
I've not read the Bible through;
And yet by your proclamation
I cannot but think - have you?


But I have not failed completely
To read some of what it says,
And the print laid out so neatly
Tells the Lord and all his ways.

For most of the New Testament
And something of the Old
I've read; with no cause to lament
What in my hands I hold.

I do not really understand
What are these lies you find –
I find your statement rather bland
And would not want your mind.

The Song of Solomon let's take
(It's part of Holy Writ) :
Where is the falsehood you can rake
From any part of it?

It is a poem! so is this,
If that you cannot see;
And I know no analysis
By which these false can be.

'Thou shalt not steal' - oh, man alive,
It's neither false nor true:
A negative imperative:
How does one talk to you?

And there are stories it contains
To give a moral gist:
But you, since they're not true, it pains
And, angered, clench your fist.

And then most of the history
Is literally true;
D'you think it will unbiased be?
What do you think? or do?

I suspect you have no reason
For your most depressing crime:
Not that, at a later season,
I might write this wretched rhyme?

I don't think you can have thought it;
I don't think you can have thought:
If you have a mind, God brought it
To you, and can make it naught.

And may God give you the thinking
If it's not already done,
To approach his truth unshrinking:
Don't think blasphemy is fun.

May you then give sincere praises
With more earnestness than most
To Who all from nothing raises:
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.