
The Joke & the Divine
Young Mary told a naughty joke…
The Reverend heard her as she spoke.
In stern rebuke, he raised his hand,
with eloquence gave reprimand,
and when that great Divine had done,
he walked away and stood alone…
He thought upon her clever wit,
and, quite unholy, laughed a bit.
He bowed his head in bitter shame…
and then, poor man, he laughed again!
Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia
This poem was written when I was in high school, about 1966. I remembered it when I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t go back to sleep. I am not sure whether my father, who was a minister, was pleased when I teased him by writing this poem. However, he may well have laughed about it when I was not around! He did have a sense of humor.
How lovely that you shared this poem from your childhood: it is beautifully lighthearted and I think many people could use a laugh right now!
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Ingrid, thank you! ❤ Your kind comment made my day! 🙂 Have a great weekend. Cheryl
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True..its Joke and Divine
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Thank you, Athira, for your amusing comment. ❤ I am happy that you enjoyed the poem. 🙂 All the best! Cheryl
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Thank you Cheryl 🙂
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Nice❤️
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Thank you, Soni! I am glad you enjoyed the poem. ❤ Have a great weekend! Cheryl
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Have a nice weekend to you too Cheryl❤️
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A sweet ode I must say… I like the name you used… ‘Divine’.❤️
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Diana, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this old high school poem. ❤ I think "Divine" is an achaic usage for members of the clergy, or maybe I kinda made it up to tease my father! 🙂 I am so glad you liked it! Take care! Cheryl
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A smile curved up my lips as I read this light and sweet poem. Thanks for sharing this lovely write Cheryl ❤️
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Radhika, thank you so much for your kind comments! ❤ I am glad the poem brought a smile. 🙂 Enjoy your weekend! Cheryl
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a Reverend, Divine, and a Poor Man
Enjoyed the way emotions flowed through him.😁😊
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Haha 🙂 I am not quite sure about his reaction. Thank you for your hilarious comment! Have a great weekend! Cheryl
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Beautifully Written 🥰🙏
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Thank you, Pankanzy, for your kind response. ❤ I appreciate your taking time to read and comment. 🙂 Have a great weekend! Cheryl
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Nice❤️
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Thank you, Hema! Glad you like the poem. ❤ Have a great weekend! Cheryl
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what a great idea to share you childhood poems, thanks … I’m sure they have a SOH 🙂
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Thank you, Kate, for sharing your thoughts. Glad you like the poem! 🙂 All the best! Cheryl
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This is so funny and so rhyming and charming 😁
There is nothing more divine than a hearty laughter, and laughter does not differentiate it’s cause – humans do that.
It’s good the holy man found some reason to enjoy a laughter, even if in secret. So a good deed counted for young Mary nevertheless!
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Thank you, Deb, for your delightful comment! ❤ So glad you liked this old high school poem. I hope my father, the minister, was amused. He did have a sense of humor! 🙂 Enjoy your weekend! Cheryl
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Oh! Yes he assuredly would have been amused 🙂 and proud too even if he would not admit it 🙂
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That’s a great poem.
It reminds me of all the times my kids have been in trouble and I’m supposed to be serious— then they do something so darn cute that I have to run into the other room to hide my laughter!
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Thank you so much, Beck, for sharing your thoughts. That does sound familiar! 🙂 I have three children from 29-51, and I certainly do remember those days! ❤ Maybe it is Karma! 🙂 Thank you for your ongoing support! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Cheryl
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Cheryl, another wonderful poem from your childhood! Love the rhyming and the humour! ❤️
Maybe you could link to my prompt today.
https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/10/17/rdp-saturday-divine/
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Thank you, Punam, for sharing your kind thoughts. ❤ It means a lot to me that you like my poems. I have never done any prompts, but I will check out the link. Have a great day! Cheryl
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You are welcome, Cheryl.
If you are not comfortable, there is absolutely no pressure to link. 😊
Yes, I like your poems very much. ❤️ Have a great Sunday.
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Thank you, Punam, for the info about the prompt. It looks like something that would inspire me.Today is quite overcommited, but another time I may have time to figure out how to participate. I don’t currently have the technical skills. ❤ Cheryl
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Absolutely no pressure, Cheryl. Hoping you have a great week ahead. ❤️
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Sweet! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Mandisa, for taking time to read and comment. ❤ I am so glad you enjoyed my old high school poem! All the best! Cheryl
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Nice one!❤
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Thank you, Nazwazish! ❤ I am happy you enjoyed the poem. I appreciate your taking time to read and comment! 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Cheryl
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Oh this is so good Cheryl! Out of the mouths of babes that you captured so nicely! I love the thought of him having a little chuckle here. I certainly remember those times with my kids but with in reverand in his holiness.. that is even more funny.
Love you wrote this and saved it! ❤️ Cindy
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Cindy, thank you for sharing your parenting experiences and amusing perspective. I really appreciate the time you took to read and comment, and I appreciate your support. ❤
I am glad you enjoyed the poem. I woke up with it on my mind at two o'clock this morning, and couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up and wrote it from memory. Due to allergies, I had to get rid of virtually all old papers and photos last year. I don't think there are any more poems rolling around in memory, but maybe there are. 🙂
You have been on my mind today, as you often are. I hope all is well with you. Cheryl ❤ ❤ ❤
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You are so welcome Cheyrl. So many stories I can’t remember tucked into the vault of my brain somewhere. Hey and at least it came to you and you could jot it down but why not in the afternoon right. Always disturbing our sleep. You are soooo welcome. I actuallly took 2 days off and you were first on my mind to check up on before opening my reader and glad to see you here. You are so welcome. It is always my pleasure. Oh such a bummer that you had to dispose of old poems and pictures!!!!
Thanks Cheyrl, Great hike this morning and now making up for lost time. Have a great day! ❤️❤️❤️ Cindy
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So glad you are doing well, Cindy, and enjoying your weekend! ❤ Cheryl
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thanks sooo much Cheryl and I hope you are as well! ❤️
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Lovely and so sweet, Cheryl ❤️❤️😊
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Thank you, Samreen, for your kind comment! ❤ I am so happy that you like the poem! All the best! Cheryl
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You are most welcome Cheryl, 😊 have a great week ahead❤️🤗
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Aw… that’s a lovely poem! I loved the sarcasm and the childlike vibes it gave off! It’s great to read a poem that you wrote in your highschool days!❤️
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D, Thank you for sharing your kind thoughts. ❤ It means a lot that you like my poem and took the time to comment.
Have a terrific week ahead! 🙂 Cheryl
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Add a dash of childlike humor and sarcasm to a poem, and you get this lovely piece!
It was quite the fun read, by the way ❤
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Silverstone, thank you for dropping by and leaving such a delightful response! ❤ I am glad you enjoyed the poem. 🙂 Take care, Cheryl
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Anytime, Cheryl! 😄
Thanks, take care ❤️
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Great to know you can write so beautifully from your young age, good share
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Thank you, Subbashini. ❤ My mother introduced me to nature, poetry, and art at a very young age and always encouraged me to learn and create. I appreciate her even more now that I am retired and have time to do more writing. I enjoyed seeing the rose your young daughter drew. I think you must be an encouraging mother like mine was. ❤
Have a great week! Cheryl 🙂
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Your comment makes me so happy, I respect your quality of valuing life and people 🌹❤️🙏🏻
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Your father was secretly happy to have such a precocious daughter, Cheryl ! 🙂
Love ❤
Michel
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What a kind thing to say, Michel! ❤ Although I caused my father a lot of frustration, I think he was proud of me. 🙂
I hope you and Janine are doing well! Love, ❤ Cheryl
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Yes , Cheryl, we are rather well ❤
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Oh I really enjoyed reading another poem from your highschool days! It’s a complete joy, Cheryl. I love this witty and clever piece. ❤️❤️
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Rishika, thank you for such a lovely comment! So glad you enjoyed the poem. ❤ I really appreciate your taking time to read and comment! 🙂 I hope all is well with you! ❤ Cheryl
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This is too good, Cheryl. 👌❤
Hope you are safe.
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Thank you, Murali, for such a kind comment! Glad you enjoyed the poem. ❤ We are safe and doing OK. I hope all is well with you.Cheryl 🙂
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Lovely!
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Thank you so much! ❤ I am glad you enjoyed the poem. 🙂
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Can’t help but smile and grin big after reading your humor-filled, endearing little poem, Cheryl! 😄
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Thank you, Gauri, for your kind comment! ❤
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