Mr. Cross-Country with
his voice full of arrogance
answered, "Muslims...I
have a hard time
trusting Muslims now."
I stuck my neck out,
told him that several
Muslims were my friends,
that he was stereotyping,
that a Muslim rosary
hung from my rearview mirror
to remind me of my soulsister
from Saudi Arabia.
The quiet man with
the compassionate eyes
that kept catching my own
answered, "people who
think they are better
than I am" and we all
knew that story, nodded
in agreement.
It was my turn to speak.
I told them that I had
no problem with people
generally speaking and that
those who had hurt me
most of all were the ones
I had let into my heart,
given myself freely to,
who in return let me down
right when I needed them.
Cheryl whispered one word
"Betrayal"
and we all understood,
fell silent and the sweet
quiet brunette man
caught my eye again.
He knew.
Then, it was Julie's turn
with her spiked red hair
and birdlike nose.
I had to will myself
to keep seated and quiet
as she said, "Carnal Christians"
in her opinionated Southern drawl.
She raved on about Christians
who met for coffee then ended
up sleeping WITH A MAN
she said with wide shocked eyes.
Then, she started in on lesbians.
Apparently, it was not okay
for Christians to sleep
with either gender.
I supressed a laugh,
wondering if I would
burn in her hell for
my impure thoughts
but Lord did that lady
need a man!...and
though everyone was silent,
she ranted on, bet that
they had already been
SAVED too (with disgust)...
and I caught his eye,
the quiet man who was
also trying not to smile
and I wanted to whisper
"good, i'm not alone"
and the average Joe
on my right said "this
is too deep for a
Saturday night" and I
was grateful for him
as he grinned at me
over his coffee cup.
I want to be in their
heaven, not in hers as
I am buried in love-red
fingernails, basic
black dress and
my tombstone will read,
"Here lies a carnal
Christian, another
damn poet...but
we still left the
light on for her."
