I allowed
my ears to listen
to resonance selling morality,
echoing from
painted crystal to painted crystal.
Utterances whispered
in shared seclusion
attempt to persuade my adolescence
that our closeness
will be
as God intended,
like a desperate suitor
kneels for a belle.
I have betrayed
eyes that fall upon you,
adorned, like an actor,
in vintage vestment,
cloaked, concealed in cassock
and stole.
Silk cloth slips, slides
to the reflective floor.
You draw near,
veiled by your tabernacle,
emboldened by my unwitting promise.
My mouth mumbles
scripts learned by rote,
liturgical drone
like humming bees,
exhibition of form,
absence of substance.
Embraced by guarded,
vacant chamber,
my misguided mouth becomes
earthy agent of the flesh.
Bless us father, for we have sinned.
Why, father, why?
