don't hurt anyone

we don't do that at my church,

she says.

we have no men

in gowns

with pointed hats.

there are no gold

chalices,

or silver crosses hanging

around.

there are no statues,

or stained glass

windows.

we aren't puppets,

kneeling,

standing, sitting, going

up and down.

mumbling rote words.

we just go in and 

fold our hands to pray.

someone says a few words

and then we go

home and try to be good

people

and not hurt anyone

for the rest of the day.