Why not
create gods that work better for us
no gods requiring two sets of dishes
or prayers five times a day knees-in-agony O Lord
maybe not gods who talk of turning a cheek
or promise happiness in some tenuous heaven
come Tuesday, bring clay or fabric, easels,
buttons, paint, scissors, paper, old magazines
let’s each make her own god or goddess
mine a marionette with gossamer wings
pale blue eyes and a lacquered smile
more capable than Siri or Alexa
mine obeys every flick of my finger
whips up a chalet in France or a sleek Ferrari
collapses quietly in the corner when not needed
expects no penance or confession
no tithing or coins pinging a collection plate
some strings attached
Claire Scott is an award-winning poet who has received multiple Pushcart Prize nominations. Her work has been accepted by the Atlanta Review, Bellevue Literary Review, Enizagam and Healing Muse among others. Claire is the author of Waiting to be Called and the co-author of Unfolding in Light: A Sisters’ Journey in Photography and Poetry.