religion

come with me- follow my actions

and echo my words- fall upon your knees in

my presence- tell me you need me.

I will listen to your soft and desperate prayers

and pluck each of your wishes out like weeds in my garden,

turning some into flowers, transplanting others

in places you don't expect.

tell me you love me in the loudest way possible

and ask for my forgiveness again and again. you do not know

about life or what comes after; you're scared; it's okay.

I am standing outside of your churches and synagoges and mosques

watching you step smugly into your cars,

waiting for you to see beyond yourself, hoping that maybe

you won't drive past me as I beg on the streets,

but you will, it's okay. promise me you'll be faithful

and then curse my name, I'll turn the other cheek, I have given you

little of what you want and all that you need.

you won't always thank me, it's okay.

I am still waiting for you to step outside of the idea

that I will hurt you, still waiting for you to stop and listen,

can't you hear me calling over the deafening noise of hatred,

standing on the other side of the road, begging you will come with me,

pleading

till the end.