silent liturgy

I bow my head when the lamps are lit

I know the water,

how to cleanse my wrists

You lift your palms to the blinding light

While I wait for

the mercy of the night (ahhhh)

I know every word,

I know the sacred line

But the temple in my chest

is an empty shrine

My mother's voice in the morning air

Taught my young tongue

to repeat the prayer

But letters memorized are only stone

I stand in the crowd,

utterly alone

(shhh) I do not hate your quiet grace

I only wish

I could take your place

I envy the peace behind your eyes

Your beautiful truth,

my perfect guise

Kyrie

eleison

(no, no, no)

Let the shadows keep me

whole!

I know every word,

I know the sacred line

But the temple in

my chest...

Is only

mine (ahhhh)