A Solo Congregation

 She spreads her leso on a raised ground

The field around scorched barren by the

unforgiving sun

slopes towards a river with stinking dark water – polluted

she begins her sermon

she is the sole congregant, perhaps a church will spring

there someday – her own church

the evidence is around

the whole place is surrounded by churches

she can smell god’s presence in that raised ground

 

she reads her bible like she would to a crowd

she reads it aloud

why wouldn’t she? You may ask

yet she is alone and there is no need for a mask

 

she has to read it loud

that’s why – loud is how churches run around

she could use a 5000000 watt sound system

if she liked it

or if she could afford

 

she then sings

she sings in English

then switches to Kikuyu

 

she prays,

she prays in English

then switches to kikuyu

she is not taking any chances

 

and a sad poet watched at a distance

wondering if she was praying for her successful children

to come to her

or to make that addict reform and become a person