the guilt church

it's a cult
of sorts.
there are a lot of hoops
one needs to jump
through
in order to get to heaven.
confession with
a priest, getting God's ear
through Mary,
none of
them biblical,
but
followed with grief
and guilt
on a daily basis.
the rituals
are ancient, and the rules
keep changing
as the basket goes
round and round
again.
there is
the myth of limbo,
of purgatory,
there is no bus stop
between heaven and hell,
today you'll be with me
in paradise, or not.
the up and down
of mass,
bend, kneel, stand,
sit.
repeat and repeat,
pray
from rote.
the long robes and gowns,
the secrecy of it
all,
unnerving. at times
unnatural and lacking
in love.