Prayer at 20 Degrees below Zero
Oh dear God,
it is cold
today. I am glad they leave the doors unlocked.
This church
smells of the dark holiday
when I made a mark in my palm
with the crucifixion nail.
Remember
what a good girl I was?
When you read my mind
my words must have been visible
inside the smooth chambers.
I prayed
with a vengeance.
I love the light in the church.
It feels holy in here, dim,
with color diffused in air.
Outside, it is so bright and cold,
I could not
keep my eyes open.
That made me think of you.
I'd like
to come here
everyday.
I'd like to mean the words,
when I say them.
The 2River View, 4_1 (Fall 1999)