goodbye…
I slipped out while they were praying, all of them
with heads bowed and eyes closed like twelve little
girls in two straight lines. No one noticed my exodus
but the Jack & Diane couple who sit in the back each
week and fondle each other while the pretty people
sing up front with raised hands trying to fondle God.
Pecker-for-brains grinned at me like I was like him,
like the two of us were in cahoots or something but I
did not return the grin because we’re not, not at all.
The coat rack in the vestibule held a faded yellow rain
slicker orphaned god knows how long ago. I thought
what the hell and adopted it as mine, deciding to finally
ease its affliction as my pure and undefiled goodbye.
I believe that’s all there is, there isn’t any more.
“because we’re not. not at all.” such courage and truth in that decision to not grin. and that yellow slicker speaks volumes.
Thanks, Mandy…yeah, there’s quite a bit to that slicker.
I really like almost all you poetry, but this one – this one nailed me: ‘… the pretty people sing up front with raised hands trying to fondle God.’ I’ve read it about five times today.
Thank you, Jeff…that line sorta wrote itself…I tried to change it twice, but it refused to budge…thanks for taking the time to comment.
thankful it didn’t budge.
Bit of WordPress weirdness on the comment posting. I’ve updated my profile to say that my website is http://www.jqgill.com, but I’m not sure if it’s working. Please feel free to delete this and the one of the double posts. Apologies. Jeff
i stink, therefore i am
This poem Goodbye speaks volumes to those of us that only know of God and only go to church on Sunday out of duty, or because its the thing done through the week that makes you feel a responsible and viral “church-goer” as, Christian you are not. Goodbye is the church that wears a mask of godliness, but there is no true worship, praise to God or relationship with Him. They (all the bowed down heads and hands reaching to try to fondle God) never even recognized “goodbye” was in the house with needs. Sadly, they don’t recognize their own needs as emphasized by the faded rain slicker. Thank you for allowing me to share my sentiments regarding this poem’s affect on me..I’m a new reader and now fan. I will visit again. not really a web browser but appreciate linking to you from EvenHope.org.