A Burning Bush Barks
(From The Triumph of Strife: an homage to Dante Alighieri and Percy Shelley)

When “GAWD IZ GRATE!” becomes the nation’s theme
America, once secular and free,
Succumbs to murder by a mental meme

Insidious in its capacity
To render stupid brains that could know more
But which, instead, through Christianity

Prefer the reptile to the mammal core,
Forsaking evolution’s better tools
In favor of dogmatic ancient lore

Designed both by and for deluded fools
Who like their answers offered in advance
Of necessary questioning that fuels

Research into the how and why of chance
That renders “quaint” religion’s crude romance.