Church

 

    In the house of Death
    the part-time priests
    hover around you
    like a cloud of mosquitoes.
    Even though you look dead,
    they cry
    that your life
    was always theirs.
    They hypnotize you
    and you can't resist
    their invitation.
    You've lost track of the time,
    and you don't know why
    you came here.
    They cry
    that this choice
    was made long ago.  
    In the half light,
    as you tumble toward sleep,
    you're stunned to hear
    that nothing is sacred.
    And you know
    that this is the end.

 

    Ed Hoyer Jr
    c. 1993