the eager congregant (a poem)

Dedicated to Anselm Ioan
Who is Two-Years-Old

At half-past eight did church commence
And we began to sing;
With hymns of grace and joyfulness
the sanctuary rang.
Then when the song was ended–
And the hush would magnify it–
The baby fussed,
So mama shushed,
And Anselm yelled:
                     “BE QUIET!”

At quarter-to the preacher stood
To welcome all the folks,
And every ear was tuned to hear
With rev’rence as he spoke.
He said, “It would behoove us,
‘fore the sermon does begin,
to thank God today.
So let us pray.”
And Anselm yelled:
                        “AMEN!”

At nine o’clock the prayer went on
With pious supplication,
And every head was bowed with all
The proper dedication.
And the preacher praised the Lord
For the knowledge that He shows:
“He knows our hearts,
He knows our fears!”
And Anselm yelled:
                             “I DON’ KNOW!”

At half-past nine the sermon twined
Through many a Bible verse
And all who heard were taught
Of how He saved us from the curse.
But little bottoms wiggled
Although Mama said to SIT.
So she held him ‘till
He would be still.
And Anselm yelled:
                            “NOOOOO LIKE IT!”

At fifteen ’til the hour
Was the service nearly spun:
The sermon preached, the prayers said,
The invitation sung.
And one last time the preacher
Exhortated every one,
Then all dismissed
And doubly blessed
And Anselm yelled:
                               “ALL DONE!!”

Oh, all you Moms and Daddies,
Congregated on the pew,
Who have an Eager Congregant
Accompanying you:
Though you may feel quite egregious–
Like your toil’s a futile one—
Please be at rest;
Your work is blest.
The Father says:
                               “WELL DONE.”