Church on fire: a poem remembering 1988
I was there in 1988 and I remember…
the congregational meeting
and
my shock
that my dear congregation
could rise up
with words of hatred
I remember my gay clergy-friend
looking out her manse window
each morning
to check to see that the church building
was still standing
because
she had been threatened by someone saying
if she remained in the manse
it would be set on fire
I remember the ridicule of ministerial
and how my sitting down
clearing the coffee counter at the local Co-op
I remember how many clergy moved
in 1989
~ Cheryl
(Shared with permission. Photo: Wix.)
