the believer

they say you walked on water
i say a clever trick- no more
which gulled the crowd- nevertheless
they enjoyed the show

i am of sterner stuff- no fool
i know the eyes
as well as tongues
of wives, friends, lovers
can deceive

how did you cheat and blind them?
(not me)
did the sun's inferno
on each thick skull work its frenzy?

did the depths of your cold eye
trawl visions to their striving souls?

oh how they wanted your success
they would not stop cheering
while i slipped away
-no i was never there
i was never there?

i cannot kiss your feet
for the comfort of belief

my pain is my messiah