- I came across a snack machine, or so I thought it was.
- As I got close, I found instead, something that made me pause.
- There were no snacks inside, I saw, in each cramped numbered slot.
- Rather, shockingly I’d say, were several different gods.
- Some were white, and some were black, and some were big or small,
- Some were fat, and some were thin, and some were short or tall.
- And while there was variety, as much as gods do go,
- I noticed that the same white god was in the top two rows.
- I guess it was most popular, its button worn near through,
- And though it took up several slots, all were bare but two.
- I took a seat upon a bench beneath an oak nearby
- So I could see what would transpire when one that god did buy.
- It wasn’t long before someone, who hungered for a god,
- Did come upon the god machine and stood there kind of awed.
- He stood a bit, scratched his chin, and cocked his head in thought,
- Then sure of choice, put in a dime, and pressed the worn out spot.
- And out it came, the favoured one, like many had before;
- It glistened now in the bright light and waited in the drawer.
- He held it close, examined it, then kissed it once for luck,
- Then said a prayer his parents said when he was young and such.
- It came to life, that idol cheap, and I could hear it speak
- It shocked me, what I heard it say; it made me want to shriek.
- “Hello, dear sir. I am your god. My precepts you’ll adore.
- I don’t want much. In fact, I’d say, there’s little new in store.
- I’ll teach you want you want to hear and won’t demand too much.
- I am smooth and comfortable and pleasant to the touch.
- I will never rock your boat; in fact, I hardly row.
- I’ll just lie back, in warming sun, and feel the cool breeze blow.”
- And then this god stretched forth its hand and patted on the head
- The man who purchased him just now and made his cheeks turn read.
- He giggled at the touch of the trinket god so bold.
- And skipped away, along the path, to pick some marigolds.
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