Mary McCarthy
Why do you have to
parade your faith
use it like a sledgehammer
smashing all the windows
you don’t want anyone to see?
Your invitation to pray
is more an edict
than suggestion
spoiling my lunch
inspiring only my anger
and no gratitude.
You are so smug in your
cloak of righteousness
feeling it a license to oppress.
Your grace is more offensive
than any drag queen
story time—all the posturing
with no humor—
A bully for Jesus
you paint his name
on my driveway
an assault
a vandal’s petty act
imposing your blinders
on my vision
my private space, my home
safe shelter from your
rabid indoctrinations
convincing me no one
deserves Apocalypse
more than you
About the Author
Mary McCarthy is a retired Registered Nurse who has always been a writer. Her work has appeared in many journals and anthologies, including “The Ekphrastic World,” edited by Lorette Luzajic, “The Plague Papers,” edited by Robbi Nester, and recent issues of Gyroscope, 3rd Wednesday, Caustic Frolic, Inscribe, and Verse Virtual . Her collection “How to Become Invisible” is now available from Kelsay books.