breaking down a fifty

i only have

a fifty-dollar bill

so i try to make

change

as the basket comes

around

my pew for

collection

i reach my hand in

to break

it down

to two twenties

and a ten,

but

the parishioners begin

to shout

and boo.

the priest comes up

the aisle

mad as a hornet,

asking me what's going

on.

i try to explain,

that i only have a fifty

and want

to leave just

ten.

he tells me to leave,

banishing me from the church

ever again.