What Use Religion?

One possible function
In the crumbling of states
While transportation and communication
Scatter tribes
Herds of hatred and seperation
Can test and assure allegiance
To one or another religion
While freedom remains
Difficult to express and scary
For the authorities

JM

Off The Top

In the cold, sweat still rolls
Under the warm coat to shoes
Colder yet and sweat will freeze
Rolling in chunks around the eyes
Not falling, stopped in nose and throat
Until a small bird froze, there was safety
This was a warning
Bird said "I did not starve, ate no poison
just left the nest for a drink"
Dead now, no bird sweat, no cheep.
Soon this finish will find me.
Where I fly now cannot frost my feathers
Ahh dreams in bed. A covered head.

JM