the church woman's dress

The Church Woman's Dress

This week it is debated
that the dress is too short,
a blatant flag to copulation.
Last week it was too long.
She fancied herself proper
and went to angelic lengths.
Meanwhile, from my pew,
I watch the heads of the women
sway bites across the brown benches.
I believe I see the problem,
but I am new here,
so I sit still with my opinion
wondering at the voice of sin.
But I believe it is her silky hair
and her gentle scent of goodness,
the way she doesn't notice,
when her eyes baptize the men.

Reviews

[Lola Nation]

I love this, absolutely, and I feel like i've heard it before but I know the church across the US and so many times that dress turns the preach's head... in the front row among the others .... what a great write.

[Rachel Knight]

Ooh, interesting. I love the wisdom and conscious detachment ("but I am new here") of the narrator.

There aren't particular parts of this poem that I would recommend changing, but I'd like for you to keep in mind something that you already seem to know well: assume that the audience isn't stupid, and therefore do not need to be told everything that is going on. Knowing this is one of your strong points, so don't forget it!

[Creepy Swine Guy]

What a gentle, soft way to say something so very stark and indicting. Reading this, it occurs to me that God in his infinite wisdom, might have planted the seed of organized religion so that for at least 3 hours out of one day each week, all of the pompous, arrogant self-important people are off the streets and the rest of us can go about our business without the stared daggers of the "saved".

[Emily B]

This is awesome stuff. Amazing, wonderful, true, awesome stuff. I've seen it many times.

[W.k.kortas]

Is it possible for something to be biting and gentle all at the same time? There is a certain edge to this poem, but there is no bitterness to it--indeed, there is a level of detachment here that is both to be wondered at and wonderful. Stuffs a whole lot of good into a small space.