The Sermon that opened my eyes inspired this poem.

Red face, pounding fist
Leaning into the congregation
Thundering and ominous his voice
Threatening his words
Warnings, threats, and judgments
Rain down from on high
Trying to save our souls from Hell
Didn’t he know there were little ones listening? Like me?
Tender hearts that might despair of life altogether
I did. I despaired.
Squeezing fists materialize in my stomach
Like a ship’s knot braces for the oncoming storm.
My whole body starting to burn
as a precursor to what would undoubtedly be my end in Hellfire.
How many ways can one be tortured and
put to death?
What if I think, “I hate God” as I leave this life?
Fear paralyzing my body
I realize I’ve been holding my breath
for what feels like hours
Silence, not like a quietness
but like a huge dead space
filling up the room
Everyone’s uncomfortable
Do all the adults really believe this?
He finally moves on
Something about how God loves us
and it’s the least we can do
being the filthy sinners we are.
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