Why does your religion
have to disfavor mine
To speak to its converts
and prattle Divine
Foundations this slanted
are poised for a fall
Appeasing their zealots
who follow and maul
More killed by religion
in His holy name
Than famine and pestilence
ever can claim
The tenets left foreign
to God’s true intent
Epiphanies barren
—all grace to relent
(Villanova University: December, 2021)
Breaking Free
I’m not asking for approval,
that belongs to time
The spoken words I cherish most,
to you seem out of rhyme
I’m not asking for acceptance,
my muse rejects your praise
In darker moments light is found
—your comments weakly phrased
(The New Room: December, 2021)