there is
a chill
in church
tonight
a chill
that strikes
up the spine
and makes
you shiver
yes shiver
like that

there is
a calm
in church
tonight
a calm
that warms
the heart
despite
the chill
within
without
the heat
wherein
we lie
live

there is
a closure
in church
tonight
as old doors
thud shut
candles
flicker
flimmer
flummer
flammer
bells
till toll
the angelus
angel loss
angles lost

there is
a death
in church
tonight
as old faith
crumbles
timbrel
tumble
new hopes
die

there is
a woman
in church
tonight
her grief
irreconcilable
inconsolable
indwelling
complete

there is
a silence
in church
tonight
a silence
of the
grave

02/22/2007