these pews are very hard

the smoke

and mirrors, the gowns,

the gold,

the stained-glass windows,

the hard pews,

rows 

and rows.

the sermon,

dusty

and old

with light lashes

of the whip, the

fire and brimstone,

burned out.

the red carpet, 

the glitter of it all,

the organ

playing.

announcements made.

potluck dinner at 7.

donation cans

in the box

up front.

let's pray for Jenny,

Jack

and Joe.

the choir singing.

so much, so much

going on,

and all i wanted to do

was put

my hands together

and say

i'm sorry.

i'll try to do better

tomorrow.