Swallows Us

Today prayer is a place

that holds your voice until it can speak -

palatoglossal arches

over rows,

over the pulpit, and its oration -

hymnals pulled from pockets

with a mouth that barely moves - mumbles,

and tumble in the throat - the voice splitting.

As the congregation leaves

yesterday's prayers surge the candles

in the draft

between the rows of pews

still sounding in their Ss

with those who came 

between sermons -

linger in the oratory,

take our prayers into their breast.

I can see them better

than the ghosts of loved ones

filling the pit of the entranceway,

and I wonder if this is faith dying

or coming to life,

us with open hands,

and pockets

filled and fumbling with keepsakes

to lay on the altar

like loose threads unraveled from the heart,

our mouths tired.

Author's Note

. . .

Reviews

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I second Lara, J, you did an outstanding job here.

The play on acoustics, oration and palatoglossal arches ( damn! ) is phenomenal and ties into your closing lines quite well. (I see a surrealist choir and aching chords)

I especially like the question posed around the service either killing faith or breathing life into it. (I think the answer much depends on whether one sees prayer as an act of grace or as a manifestation of control).

You absolutely nailed it with this one - thanks much for sharing with us!

[JustPlainHere]

Thank you! I very much appreciate your insights on prayer here - you hit on the head where I was going with this, and thank you for commenting, such an honor.

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Oh, the honour’s mine J, was a pleasure to read.

Best to you.

[Lara]

What a beautiful piece, j!

It quite captures that which can not be captured: the ephemeral nature of spiritual faith.
To substantiate the insubstantial in this write is a thing of magic most wonderful - particularly so, when a reader (I, atleast) relaxes the diaphragm and breathes with an open belly to sigh... touched.
Fine wine, indeed.
Such keen author observation, (seems well nurtured), and wonderful, wonderful writing. ✨️

[JustPlainHere]

Thank you so much! And glad that it elicited such a detailed reaction, it is an honor.