The Old Church-Board Member Poem by Gert Strydom

I

Probably at every congregation
and in every church domination
there is a man, a skeleton
who always is searching for conversation
and some people do think that he is smart
where he keeps himself high holy
and do constantly walk up and down
to look at the visitors.

II

The kind of person
who at a time had been an elder on the church-board
but now does guard rows of benches
and at times do reproach the visitors
and do threaten to throw unruly children out,
a old uncle Barry or uncle Brother
who greets you as if you are blessed
and in old age his days are gone.

III

Its as if has already lost Ben, Baby
and the family
does pinch sweets from the children
when as the executor of the law
he does look narrow-minded at others
and now on pension
he does forget of all kinds of fun,
do not have much to do.

IV

He is like an undertaker
dressed in his black suit,
like a old pleader or advocate
and its as if he does forge plans with Satan,
he only gives short steps
and he looks old till into the grave,
at times do make people embarrassed
when with his news he does jog past.