Depressed Preachers

Have you ever wondered why preachers get depressed,
Lots of reasons that you know -- some you'd never guess.
There's Sister Mouth who spins her yarns
   And lets the gossip fly.
And Ole Aunt Ears who takes it in
   And never bats an eye.
Now don't you tell--but did you hear--
   It's likely to begin.
I told you not to tell -- why --
   I do believe you've sinned.
There's "No Can Do" who could do
   But no will to every try
I couldn't blame the preacher if
   He'd just sit right down and cry.
Why should we worry about
   The down and out --
We've got a good preacher man.
    Why he's strong and stout.
There's "I Can Do" who could do
   But never does show up.
Then when he sees the preacher
   He sneaks 'roun like a pup.
Then there's the one who says he'll teach
   He's quite smart, gee whiz.
And when Sunday Morning rolls around
   You wonder where he is.
Reasons on reasons ... this is
   Why they get depressed.
But wait -- I'm not talking to you --
   Or do I hit you all -- more or less!

This is one of several poems my brother Irvin
wrote to me while he was in the Air Force.