Old Sam Poem by Phillip Hoffeld

The church was full of people that day,
Driving or walking in the sun.
Old man Sam was walking there too,
Church-goers began to poke fun.

Old Sam's suit was ragged and worn
Some people laughed and stared,
"What do you think he'll mess up today? "
Said some faithful elders who dared.

Sam took his place in the choir that day
His voice was off key and loud.
Some children began to giggle and point
As well as the rest of the crowd.

After church, the good pastor was mad
Sam is ruining my service.
He gets in the way, he doesn't look nice
And he's making good church-goers nervous.

No one is happy in our church anymore
"What shall we do? " The elders did say.
"We'll go to his house, " the preacher said
"And send the old man on his way."

"He's been here too long! " A good lady spoke up
"He doesn't know how to dress.
He's blind in one eye, nearly deaf in both ears
His hair is always a mess! "

They went to Sam's home, he was on the front porch
Humming a familiar church tune.
He sat and listened as the good pastor spoke
On that warm summer's afternoon.

The pastor was finished, the Christian people agreed
It was time for Old Sam to go.
Sam took a deep breath as he looked at the ground
Allowing his head to hang low.

Sam spoke not a word as he looked back at the sky
And then he lowered his head.
The afternoon sun caught the glitter of a tear
It was too late, Old Sam was dead.