God's House

God’s House

 

 

some things from the past

live in memory forever,

like classic Chevrolets

and old churches.

 

i came upon an old church

while living in California

its windows were boarded up

fissures could be seen in the walls

and its foundation

wildflowers and leaves

littered the path to the concrete steps

 

but it was the steeple

that gave affirmation

to the antiquity that stood  before me,

that this was once God’s house

 

where every Sunday

a congregation would meet

with rosaries in hand

where a pipe organ could be heard

playing hymns of salvation,

giving praise to the Lord.

 

there i stood with my Starbuck’s in hand

on the very ground it was built, in 1897

now in severe decay awaiting demolition,

it was a pale configuration

of what used to be.

 

where a congregation would meet

every Sunday

“…in the name of the Father,

the Son and the Holy Spirit…”

 

where a steeple on high

gave firm affirmation

that this was God’s house.

 

 

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Kelly, as is always the case with your poetry, the emotion hits hard. I could picture the scene. Even for those who are not religious seeing an old church or an old synagogue is deeply moving. A beautiful poem my friend!

[Kelly Scheppers]

The emotion hit me hard. So much, that in all these years since past, I still see it when I close my eyes. I am so thrilled you enjoyed it. Thank you, Lydi!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This is such a beautiful scene. Reminds me of Emily's "Because I could not stop for death" when she says"
"we passed before a house/ barely visible/ a cornice in the ground"---
affirmation indeed....and even though she refused to admit it, I think Emily believed.
j.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am flattered for such a comparison by you, Jacob. I have always held your reviews at the highest esteem, and I always will. Emily Dickinson is one of my favorite of all time, so this is very special indeed. Thank you!