Donna Y. Orme-Collins is a former cult member who shares her experiences through poetry. The following poem expresses the intense feelings and emotions involved in being in a cult and growing up in one. [read more poems...]

Donna Y. Orme-Collins

BOW DOWN AND WORSHIP ME
Arizona - April 20, 1993

You who would have me believe America is the Great Satan
Beware the Satan in you
Watch out for passing Hell out
With principles and knives

And telling us that only your followers go to Heaven
We've heard that one before
In every church.

Be afraid for no great leader sings his praises
Only dictators, politicians and idiots
Again the same old Armageddon speech
You have no room for compassion
In your million dollar home

Look out for angry sinners
Also righteous ones
Who call a spade a spade
And do not bow and scrap to anyone
Exceptions?
Only God.

For all the words I write and say I will be remembered
And so will you
So will you
Too many people died to bring us only
Hell and Heaven
Do or die
Stick a thousand needles in my eye

I fear you would revive Dachau and Auschwitz
For all the Homosexuals
Meanwhile the children of the Third World drop dead from AIDS
Smoking makes the lungs black
But not the heart
Money does that
No one race is clean
And the cleaner you think you are
The dirtier you get

So talk on with your clapping monkeys
Smiling fools
As you parade around with no clothes
And cannot wear the truth.

Call me "Satan"
Witch hunt days never die
To think my ancestors suffered for this?

For once you make yourself a God
You must be sure you shine
You must be sure to be correct
At least some of the time

This poem was written directly about my cult leader and the incredible power he held over people although he was not a religious, pious or spiritual man.