Walter Rauschenbusch
Evening found us waiting
Just to glimpse a shadow,
To hear a wraith, see a ghost.
Never realizing
That Elvis had already left
The building years ago
And been replaced with a ghast.
With an addict in costumes,
A preacher in street clothes
And we waited
And baited our breath
Too caught up in the fumes to notice.
Morning found us listening
To a pre-recorded message
Never realizing that Elvis
Would never have recorded that song.
Noon found us singing along
Subtly changing the words
Without conscious focus
Never taking notice
That Elvis was singing a wholly different song.
Sunday found us buying
Tickets to a magic show
Where Elvis would perform
Despite his missing qualities,
Namely breath and a pulse,
But details never derail true belief.
Monday found us waiting
Still in pre-assigned roles
Though Elvis had already moved on.
Tuesday found us antsy with
Sweat stains on our clothes
And not a whisper of rockabilly around.
Wednesday found us nervous
Just scratching the surface
Close to accepting the Vegas guy in his suit
Because Elvis had left the building
While we were still glued to our pews.
