Out of Context

I change from my
“Lebowski 2024” t-shirt
into a white shirt and tie,

find my King James Bible
between
“Another Roadside Attraction”
and
“Jitterbug Perfume,”
and
ride my bicycle to
First Church of the Open Bible.

My attempt to be
surreptitious is
betrayed by being
the only one
wearing a tie to
Bible Study.

A friendly voice
calls out:
“We play a little game.
Latecomers must give us
their favorite verse,
from memory.”

I’m ready.

“God is Love,
I John 4:8,”
I yell,
lifting my hands.

From somewhere
near the front
a hand and voice
are raised:

“Fear only God,
who can destroy
both soul and body
in hell,
Matthew 10:28.”

My life has been spent
preparing for this.

I rip my tie
from my neck
and wave it
in triumph.

“There is no fear
in Love,
but perfect Love
casteth out fear,
I John 4:18,”
I shout.

All eyes are on me,
a finger points.

“That’s out of context.”

Without words I turn
and walk.

It’s time to take
my Self out of
this context.

(Photo by Aaron Burden; UnSplash)