a sabbath prayer
Published in
Aug 9, 2021
dare we judge
dare we judge
dare we judge
the hag in the grocery store
with her rude and salty tongue
the suited man in sanctuary
reciting prideful, pious prayers
the cruel girl who remains
frightened of mirrored image
of the father who
simmers in his rage
the teenaged boy caught
between the twin desires
of wild abandon
and holy discipline
all who come with their
imperfect prayers and
burning lips to stand before
the juries who bless and curse
as we ignore our own
tripartite denials
before the courtyard flames
at the crowing of the dawn
without the word
they may all (we may all)
have been far worse
for all our wear
© 2021 Darryl Willis
