Kneeling Toward Sacrilege

“Kneeling Man” by Julian Voss-Andreae

falling from hope

onto knees of despair

so much pain

from abated belief

from failed faith

in the power of prayer

a convergence of

miseries ravages

body and soul

piquant reverence

of youth become

bitter with age

and resentment

resigned to this

supplicant posture

of bone upon stone

bent in sin of misgiving

no promises offered

a simple agnostic appeal

to that ghost of a god

for empathic release

sweet relief of release