Le Voyage Magnifique

Elmer Gantry

When Elmer Gantry praised the Lord,
his congregation sat entranced,
as air crackled with Gospel zeal
down the hallways to his sermon.

Immoral sinners felt the heat
when Elmer Gantry praised the Lord
and promised they would burn in Hell
for indulging carnal desires.

They were cautioned to tread softly
and not do anything foolish,
when Elmer Gantry praised the Lord
in tone so sharp it made them quake.

Heaven's field of fragrant daisies
awaited those who would repent
and fill the plate they passed around
while Elmer Gantry praised the Lord.

Notes ▶︎

1. The Quatern is a sixteen-line French form with a specific pattern of repetition, as described and demonstrated in the following link: http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/quatern.html .

2. Elmer Gantry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TFF9UaByPo