maundy thursday

the empty seats surround 
the empty table fills
the empty room

i would invite you
i would ring the bells
i would wash your feet

let’s pretend you won’t deny me
let’s pretend i’m not easily offended
let’s pretend we still know how to recover

we can try to put new words together
we can try to write them on the skin
we can find new ways to sing the songs

there will always be betrayals
there is always something veiled
there are always silences

some would say it’s not worth the effort
some would find reasons to explain it away
some would choose to wait without intent

i am not willing to allow your slumber
i am not able to accept your fear
I am not willing to fill your pockets with stones

let there be another forgiveness
let there be close embraces
let everything be laid bare