on missing hymns and home churches

fans beating the air
stifled, summer breezes
underneath peaked ceilings
lofted to point to God
outdated red hymnals line the pews

sitting up front
pages of music blow shut
and the message goes on
preach it, brother
until the almighty two-syllable amen
reverberating off orange carpet
and stained glass
amen and amen
a cue
to move forward
hymns and people let loose
doutbing people to a doubting world