He was a bit awkward, and, oh! how he dressed,

This even a friend writing of him confessed.

He did not fit in with "society's cream;"

But this did not bother him, so it would seem.

He chose to live in the wilderness alone,

The ways of wicked folks he would not condone.

He spoke God's word to one and all without fear

But often the crowds would ridicule and jeer:

"Oh, his awful beard! And his dreadful attire!"

Now, that is enough to raise the member's ire!

"Who does he think he is?" and, "Why should we go

Out of our way to hear him, when he looks so?"

Yes, they were exalted, high and holy men --

But in our God's eyes these folks were steeped in sin;

They could see the things they did not like in him

But not their own sins -- to these their wits were dim.

Oh, how they rejoiced when at last he was gone,

That awful man, you know, the Baptizer, John.