Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Madonna with the Electric Halo
You stare down at me,
with a benevolent but unchanging smile.
I insert my coin,
make the sign of the cross,
and kneel before you:
a statue
with a light-up, plug-in halo.
Your face remains fixed as my prayers are recited.
I stand to leave,
my steps echoing against the cold stone walls.
In the darkness near the door,
a man leans on his broom and checks his watch.
As I open the door, I look back
and see him cross the altar to turn off the lights.
Your halo is suddenly extinguished.
Can Heaven still hear
when you are unplugged?
with a benevolent but unchanging smile.
I insert my coin,
make the sign of the cross,
and kneel before you:
a statue
with a light-up, plug-in halo.
Your face remains fixed as my prayers are recited.
I stand to leave,
my steps echoing against the cold stone walls.
In the darkness near the door,
a man leans on his broom and checks his watch.
As I open the door, I look back
and see him cross the altar to turn off the lights.
Your halo is suddenly extinguished.
Can Heaven still hear
when you are unplugged?
| posted by Barbara | 6:59 PM