Our Father, who art in heaven,
they told me You are the eternal remedy
they said You perform miracles
can You show me?
i’ve been a good catholic
or i’ve tried
i’ve battled my logic
i’ve confessed my sins
i’ve begged and begged for dominion at Your feet
until my tired knees gave out
and i collapsed with clasped hands
like a desperate fool
but i am not a fool, right?
according to them, i can’t be;
the Bible is more than a fantastic piece of literature,
they told me
the gospel does bear all objective truth,
they assured
but it doesn’t matter– i’ve tried but
the tempest prolongs as if
the Word of God is just words and nothing more.
auntie says
You’d have mercy if i stayed attentive during mass,
frequented faith formation,
and prayed before every meal.
i ask
what if the french never came,
we never suffered imperialism,
and this religion never reached vietnam?
she responds with nothing, then says that
You were meant to find us but
sometimes i wonder if You have lost me.
Amen; i mean,
i shall not bear false witness, and so i swear
i haven’t given up, but
in righteousness this faith is
unsure yet unshaken hence
i return to Your house this Sabbath–
Lord, i promise, i believe in You
or i’m trying
so vindicate me
show me salvation
pacify this internal crusade
cease the weeping and the gnashing of teeth,
and deliver me from evil.
Amen.
Editors: Chris F., Marie H., Nicole O., Nadine R.