B-atitude

By: Inkfeather

Our Mother gets mad

cause my sister

worships "without respect,

jeans and a tee shirt

ain't no way to pray."

And those that view like

the old lady

who's family once sat here

edges down the pew.

Shamed - Mother's head bows.

My sister's quiet

her eyes raise up

her hands clasp together

she seeks approval

only from the Lord

for it is His house

she visits now

sharing conversation

with He who listens

to the honest heart

seeking salvation,

not approval

from He who is the Church

not from the men's club

or the Ladies' Guild

or other people

who sit and say

"how dare she come and pray

talk to the Lord

in sneakers and socks?"

The Pastor peers down

seeing the slide

by the lady who's checks

pay the electric

and keep his robe pressed

the hate in her eyes

wasn't taught there

but which one does he keep?

The young one sincere

or the too lost sheep?

Shorts and a tee shirt

sneakers and socks

my sister prays at home

she prays at the beach

or in the mountains

she needs no building,

weekly hour,

or pre-selected hymns

to induce her God

to enter her heart.

And for all those checks

and all the time

spent by that old lady

she has not found peace

for she still judges

who deserves the Lord,

and who does not.

She'd keep the church empty

rather than open

it's doors to the poor.

And this is her right...?

She doesn't sit

with modern day lepers.

And this room, these pews

were never meant to

be used by those who

pray for the rent,

or a better job,

opportunity,

something to hope for.

My sister's silent

as she prays for

the poor of heart and soul

who can't rejoice that

the church fills but

not the envelopes,

and for the blinded,

and for the misguided,

for the old lady's

forgiveness.

(c)InkfeatherNYNY

Back to Main Page