The Saint And The Sinner (London: 1994) Poem by DM W

The white monk and the black monk embraced each other.
In truth they were much like Siamese twin brothers.
O they could recognise each other's brokenness.
They were tuned to one another's joys and sadness.
Then they both knelt down together to pray in awe,
In the Almighty's house, on the cold, marble floor.
They prayed for tolerance, love and peace; and then
They prayed intensely for the living and the dead.

After several years had passed they realised that
They were inseparable and most exact.
O they were undoubtedly made for each other.
It's just like I said they were much like twin brothers.
It's not one's half of two, but two maketh the one.
Light has no meaning without dark to muse upon.
There is no calm heaven without fiery hell.
There is no joy without pain as Blake said as well.

The two wise monks knew that life contradicts itself.
From the beginning to the end: disease courts health.
With their combined gifts they passionately believed
That they could attain the Lord's kingdom. For you see
One would live fully; while the other would reflect.
One would visit brothels; the other gain respect.
One devoted to spirit; the other to flesh.
They imagined their different attributes would mesh.

They lived for ten decades with no doubts or regrets
Well... the white monk had a few: lack of drugs and sex!
On the day they both died (at the same time in fact)
Their two great spirits arose: one white and one black.
Straight up to heaven they went happy together:
united at last as spiritual brothers.
At long last they came face to face with their God:
Beyond dualisms; beyond evil and good.

Once inside, the brothers could not believe their eyes:
Eternity's indeed a playground in the skies!
But things began to turn sour when the Lord spoke
From his gold throne surrounded by misty white smoke.
He said, ' Indeed you had a most promising scheme
Which included both sacred and sensual themes.
But it seems you've each only lived half of your lives
And in my book, this scheme was somewhat of a skive'.

God sighed and then suddenly summoned his angels.
'Take this saint and sinner back to my earthly realms.
One will become a snake and the other a rock.
Since they are clearly not twins but of different stock! '
The saint and the sinner protested but in vain.
They were soon whisked away as it started to rain.
So please take note all ye who try to tempt your God;
Behind that kind disguise lies a cynical sod!