The Pastor's Wives

A villanelle. If you're a pastor's kid, this is relatable.

(Originally written on November 26, 2012)

It’s Sunday morning.  She watches her husband as

he takes his podium, and thanks God for today

she retreats with the kids, as she always has

because she likes to have her own way.

 

He takes his podium, and thanks God for today

and he grabs his bag full of knick-knacks.

His wife opens the car door and hides away

as she does Sudoku in the back.

 

When finished, the pastor grasps his coffee, awake since 5:08.

He sits next to a tawny woman, and slouches in relief.  

She pats him on the back, saying, “You did great!”

But that’s his daughter.  Her mother is at work, we believe.

 

To each pastor, the congregation comes up and praises.

“God bless you,” “You are a blessed man,” they say.

But the pastors’ wives, impatient for Sunday to go faster,

suggest, “Why don’t we go home early today?”

 

The pastors are godly men, but that does not mean

that their marriages haven’t suffered.  The pastors’ wives,

only they remember those days of confusion and hurt.

It’s Sunday morning.  And they are watching their husbands as

 

they take their podiums, and thank God for today. 

Author's Note

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