Random Prompt #19

[dukealien]

False in Prophecy


There have been prophets–
Sabatai Zevi, Jacob Frank,
Aleister Crowley, for that matter–
whose message was,
Do What Thou Wilt:
I’m your Messiah and
now I am here,
the old Law must retire and,
to prove it’s so,
you MUST do all those things
old Law prohibited.

Leading to scenes scandalous
in two ways: first, the lewdness,
then the wink as prophets
took on temporal approval
and office from the Powers
That Be.

Then there were prophets–
one, Martin Luther King, Junior–
who saw, not license
but salvation in a future time
when all would shine forth
by content of their character
and none be denied for any
other characteristic.

But his vision, twisted
by the Powers That Be
and his own moral frailties
became its opposite where only
outward characteristics,
not quality of character,
were counted.

So, false prophet, King?
False in foretelling, yes,
but let us hope
not false forever.