Broken Hallelujah Poem by Barry Middleton

the story is as old as time
for every mountain we can climb
missteps await that just may kill
regardless of our guile or skill

yes Adam did his very best
but when God put him to the test
his footing slipped and so he fell
condemning every man to hell

and so it was with David's fall
affliction and the wailing wall
tumbled down from heaven's throne
upon the seed that he had sown

we see it each and every day
when power comes to its dismay
the tyrant slain to quench the mob
for all the souls that he did rob

as you look back I hope you find
I never wished to be unkind
a weakness fills the heart of man
that we may never understand

I know I don't know many things
we try to fly on broken wings
we do our best when pride pretends
and at the grave we make amends

so when you judge the human soul
remember all may miss their goal
for every man is fallible
and that's the final parable

~~~~~

The title, theme, and some of the content and rhythms,
are obviously inspired by Leonard Cohen's song Hallelujah.