Objective Non-Involvement & Obsession Poem by Margaret Alice

Non-Involvement

You said I should try to stay anchored
in my own world with my feet firmly on the ground
when reading a novel and more especially
when reading lyrical prose – words sublime not meant for me -
any written word constrained to a private conversation
dedicated to another person in another time
and specifically when reading the Bible - not to see
all those words of damnation
as pertaining to me

And you said that the requirement
of objective non-involvement and reading critically
would safeguard all I meet and see from my
emotional extrapolations about New Age Theory,
the Philadelphia Mystery and every other conspiracy
on the Internet…

And until then I must take care when I hold discourse
with my fellow-men - or be prepared to brave
their censure, ridicule and rejection...


Obsession

Your obsession
with demonic possession
drove me insane
with unbearable pain

those I loved most
you declared
demon-possessed

as you ordered
demons to leave me
I was astonished to find
myself alone in my mind

so it was ME you were ordering out

do you contaminate
a loving God's name
by using it
to cover your hate?