God's House

God’s House

 

 

some things from the past

live in memory forever,

like classic Chevrolets

and old churches.

 

i came upon an old church

while living in California

its windows were boarded up

fissures could be seen in the walls

and its foundation

wildflowers and leaves

littered the path to the concrete steps

 

but it was the steeple

that gave affirmation

to the antiquity that stood  before me,

that this was once God’s house

 

where every Sunday

a congregation would meet

with rosaries in hand

where a pipe organ could be heard

playing hymns of salvation,

giving praise to the Lord.

 

there i stood with my Starbuck’s in hand

on the very ground it was built, in 1897

now in severe decay awaiting demolition,

it was a pale configuration

of what used to be.

 

where a congregation would meet

every Sunday

“…in the name of the Father,

the Son and the Holy Spirit…”

 

where a steeple on high

gave firm affirmation

that this was God’s house.

 

 

Reviews

[FGFRANKLIN]

"I was happy when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." This was beautiful, lending a quaint sincerity to things loved, lost and left in the limbo of memory. It's sad more of our landmarks aren't saved for posterity. I enjoyed the read. F.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Always a pleasure to have you here. Thank you, Fabian!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I'm trying to reclaim my old account here so I'm sending along a friend request from it, same me, just a different profile pic. Happy Saturday, my friend.

[Arundass TP]

Enjoyed the images of old church . Good poem.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you. And welcome to my page!

[Neville]

my very dearest of Kelly's, although I have long trod a different path, you words here sent a shiver up and down my spine as they led me to the foot of a still sacred shrine .. (that rhyme was unintentional by the way) .. whereas my thank you for posting is both deliberate and sincere .. thank you .. Neville

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your presence here is one I would seek. Thankful for the kindness of words, Nev!

[Ken e Bujold]

a remarkably stirring poem kelly. apocalyptic vision of past and present, that provide's glimpse to a future for those who wish to ponder. The image of starbucks in hand is ever so striking.

ken

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you for your visit, Ken.

[Lydia Shutter]

Kelly, as is always the case with your poetry, the emotion hits hard. I could picture the scene. Even for those who are not religious seeing an old church or an old synagogue is deeply moving. A beautiful poem my friend!

[Kelly Scheppers]

The emotion hit me hard. So much, that in all these years since past, I still see it when I close my eyes. I am so thrilled you enjoyed it. Thank you, Lydi!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This is such a beautiful scene. Reminds me of Emily's "Because I could not stop for death" when she says"
"we passed before a house/ barely visible/ a cornice in the ground"---
affirmation indeed....and even though she refused to admit it, I think Emily believed.
j.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am flattered for such a comparison by you, Jacob. I have always held your reviews at the highest esteem, and I always will. Emily Dickinson is one of my favorite of all time, so this is very special indeed. Thank you!