In Isaiah's time they thought him crazed 
for saying things were gloomy when they weren’t. 
Their bellies full, their fortunes had been made 
and regularly sacrifices burnt 
to make a show of opening to God 
while turning a deaf ear to those whose cries 
were heard in heaven, many lacking food 
and suffering the cost of rich men’s lives. 

The prophet saw the thin veneer of pride 
that covered fear and deeply harbored sin, 
how rulers schemed to have themselves allied 
with power that would vanish in the wind. 
In him the dream persisted, clear and strong 
of God who made them all and loved them long.