Gideon Bible

by David Stephenson

At a Ramada Inn where the TV
Was broken, fishing through the nightstand drawer,
I found a King James Bible dutifully
Placed by the Gideons, whoever they are.
It had a useful index in the front
With entries like COURAGE in Time of FEAR,
COMFORT in Time of SORROW, and some blunt
Death stuff. I kept it for a souvenir
And read it when the morning paper’s late.

If I ever meet a Gideon
I’ll tell her that I think it’s really great
That they leave all those books for everyone,
Then ask her if they have one listing out
Some passages for FAITH in Time of DOUBT.