Faith
Each morning his dad pauses on the back
porch and calls out to the heavenly father
to bless his going out and coming in. At night
his six children kneel in a line by the bed.
At first, services are held at their home –
the preacher eats the choice pieces of chicken.
Junior sweeps the Church when it’s built,
and wonders why he must pray to a white Jesus.
His mom Mandy wears wide floral hats every Sunday
as she leads the choir in Precious Lord Take My Hand.
Aunt Loyola arrives from Chicago and demands
my presence so she can bless our unborn child.
I dare not tell her I don’t believe in God.
Mandy is consoled that I will be saved
with the righteous during the end times
because Jews are the chosen people.
Vera Kewes Salter has published a chapbook titled In Lewy’s Body with Finishing Line Press, 2024. Their individual poems are published in a variety of journals.
The Marbled Sigh 