there were candles on pedestals,
    plants on altars, gold chalices filled
    with flat bread hosts and sweet wine,
    censers dangling from tarnished

    silver chains, holy-water in marble
    bowls mounted on entrance walls,
    red leather kneelers, white
    robes, cherry wood pews,

    deep plum velvet hung
    over a half-naked man,
    a crown of thorns, blood on
    feet and forehead and palms

    and off to the side, behind the pulpit,
    a statue draped in virgin blue, remnants
    of when gods had thighs and hips and breasts.

Copyright © Sherrie Weller, 2002.  All Rights Reserved.