Pilgrim’s Progress

Pilgrim's Progress

When I was a babe
They took me to church.
I was marked with a cross.
I yelled.
"Letting the devil out," they said,
"Now you're a Christian,
One of the family," They said.
When I grew up
I went to a church.
Hands were laid on my head,
The cross was confirmed.
I knelt in white dress
And trembled.
"Now I'm a Christian." I said.
Now I grow old.
If I enter a church
Ancient phrases I chant.
"You're guilty," they say.
"You're a sinnner," they say.
"Of what ?" I ask,
and "Who says that I am ?"
"God says," they shout.
"Who is God ?" I ask.
"Aren't you a Christian ?" they ask.
In utter confusion,
"What am I ?" I say.

Norah Gutteridge is a regular member of the East Midlands 'S.o.F.' Group and lives near Nottingham.