The Empty Church

   
I broke bread with the Devil    
sprawled drunk across a pew    
ground my teeth with red eyes shut    
an unclean heart trapped in barbed wire    
pounding like a childless drum    
   
I cursed the saints    
spat blood and waited    
for the fiery beat of redemption    
for the Holy Spirit to swallow      
every puny human crumb    
   
In Mother's last years    
when she could no longer see    
or think    
her quality of life  
delivered on a spoon    
after we'd sing:    
'Life is Just a bowl of Cherries'    
she would ask:    
Why doesn't He take me    
Why doesn't He come?    
   
And there was    
no answer  
only the memory
of her love