Robbie was a handy-man by trade – a sleazebag by reputation.
No sooner had widowhood been acknowledged,
than Robbie would be there,
offering support with his voice,
and enticement with his handshake
by a well-known caressing of the palm.
All the widows knew it and were wary.
He attended the rural chapel
of the immersion baptism kind -
regularly sang there in the choir.
The chapel was so tiny,
choir and baptistry were cramped
with a narrow aisle between
baptistry and walls.
The choir had sung its anthem, a simple gospel song,
and commenced returning to the pews
when Robbie missed his footing
and overbalanced with a splash.
After chaos and rescue,
church continued to its close
to the lap – lap – lapping of the plunge.
But next day the news spread quickly
and a great guffaw arose
that encompassed the community with mirth.
To most of those who knew him
it seemed obvious of course,
Robbie needed more than “born again”
but “baptized again” as well.
Oct 3, 2022
Oct 3, 2022 at 4:32 AM UTC
Robbie was a handy-man by trade – a sleazebag by reputation.
No sooner had widowhood been acknowledged,
than Robbie would be there,
offering support with his voice,
and enticement with his handshake
by a well-known caressing of the palm.
All the widows knew it and were wary.
He attended the rural chapel
of the immersion baptism kind -
regularly sang there in the choir.
The chapel was so tiny,
choir and baptistry were cramped
with a narrow aisle between
baptistry and walls.
The choir had sung its anthem, a simple gospel song,
and commenced returning to the pews
when Robbie missed his footing
and overbalanced with a splash.
After chaos and rescue,
church continued to its close
to the lap – lap – lapping of the plunge.
But next day the news spread quickly
and a great guffaw arose
that encompassed the community with mirth.
To most of those who knew him
it seemed obvious of course,
Robbie needed more than “born again”
but “baptized again” as well.
A true story from some years ago, sadly on a night when we were not present.
Request permission to use this poem