Be Catholic

I slinked into the shadows
the back of the church
Wondering what it is to
be Catholic

The room was a monument to monotony and routine
I saw three hundred dogs
obeying the divine Pavlov's word
Kneeling and watching

The room was clouded in incense and sin
I sat on pew
as stiff as their faith
Praying and sitting

The room was flooded with saintly images of terrible deaths
I listened to a man of God
preach guilt and damnation
Fearing and listening

I slinked out of the shadows
the back of the church
Knowing I would never
be Catholic