so we have this now

religion

is no longer keeping

the hordes

in bounds.

you look out the window

as a masked

man

jimmies the door

of your car.

there's

a fellow with a gun,

at the five

and ten.

another with a knife,

hunting

for what he doesn't have.

no longer do the children

go to mass

and listen.

knees bruised

in prayer.

believing that there

is a God

up there.

there is no fear,

so we have this, now.