repeat and rinse

the church is crowded
the cop
has his blue lights lit
he's directing traffic in the rain
at st. Bernadette's.
the cars
move in, move out,
park, while he waves
his red baton in the half
dark. the sinners
get clean,
again. penance, holy water,
a homily,
kneeling and confession.
it's a daily thing,
this sinful
nature. the guilt,
the forgiveness,
repeat and rinse,
again and again.