Prayer is the bell jar you put over this goodbye. I’d rather leave this embrace between you and I. Let’s lock out the bearded old man in the night gown. He can tap against the glass but I’m not coming out. I build bridges with these arms, I will not build a fortress. In the circle around the kitchen table I say my “amen” because I feel blessed. Secretly hoping while joining hands that you can’t feel my trembling fingertips. If I sign this piece of paper do I sell my soul along with my duties? We won’t put our money where your catholic mouth is. Even though the teeth are long gone there’s still bone beneath the gums and there’s a lot of potential in a mighty organ. And they told us not to clap so we clap as loud as we can because the reverb in those holy halls is like a long lost friend. He keeps hitting the walls and comes all the way back again. I want trees instead of gravestones and nothing to confess. I got a soft spot for your ancient books of horror stories. I got a music in my ears from long long ago and far far away and I still hum its tune but how could I ever believe every word it says to me? We follow our own steps while our shadows keep watching us. The wrong steps would be not to start this exodus.