A Pagan Mystery

I had many country cousins
Among them was Mobley
He lived in Tulsa
and wore cologne
said it was aftershave

I was only eight
but I remember he went crazy
the first time he heard
"The Pagan Love Song"

He bought the record
and played it on the Victrola
over and over

Cousin Nona May
said she wasn't surprised
at Mobley's choice
He had always been
a pagan

I didn't know what to make
of her indictment
Mobley taught Sunday School
and gave his testimony
at every prayer meeting

Notes

McDaniel, Wilma. (2001) Borrowed Coats. Hanging Loose Press, Brooklyn, New York.
Courtesy University of California, Merced Library. Copyright owned by the Regents of the University of California.