SALVATION

in all those years
when he had the chance
jesus never took me to the river
never
said a word
never
gifted me
the light
of salvation
or
made me whole
or healed my
affliction
or sent my demons
airborne
in the bodies
of wild pigs

i watched
the smiles of those who knew him
and wondered how
and wanted
what they had
and prayed
and prodded
and even pretended
but his spirit
if it existed
sailed right past
and left me sitting in the pew
barren
as that old wood --

an indication
that my sins
are simply mine
and the price of redemption
tangible
as a bed of rocks