In My Father’s House

Several crucifixes
a jug of oil
and one small silver jar
containing flat, tasteless bread.
White plastic collars
lying around like abandoned haloes
and a typewriter
that spitted out sermons.
And in the vault, behind iron doors
books of names, the same names
found on the gravestones
behind the church.
And in the basement a sauna
where we congregated
every Friday night
to gaze at the pit of fire.

Johanna Evenson is a professional musician and cognitive therapist who lives and works in Charleston, South Carolina, where she is a member of the Long Table Poets. Her work has appeared in Cactus Heart, The Milo Review, New Verse News, Alba, and Marathon.
*Photo courtesy of @J_Martu.
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