True Prophet of Zion
This is not the road to Zion.
Turn around while you still can.
Just ahead lies death and dyin’.
This is not the road to Zion.
Forward brings but tears and cryin’.
Such are all the schemes of man.
This is not the road to Zion.
Turn around while you still can.
False Prophet of Zion
This here is the road to Zion.
Trust us when we tell you so.
Nix that freedom you’ve been tryin’.
This here is the road to Zion.
All our strictures you’re defyin’
Shield you from eternal woe.
This here is the road to Zion.
Trust us when we tell you so.
(Both poems are triolets, a poetic form with a distinct rhyme scheme and reptition of complete lines. Words and photo by Sarah Hinlicky Wilson. For Katie L.)