The stained glass window in its high shoulder of stone

is playing with fire

lead meanders through its transparent field

 

and reveals a message

born in a pact of hot tears,

pews are dappled

 

angels whose wings stick out flat

reflect the sun in an experiment

that God had begun

 

but time and heat have conspired, and

now air hisses through gaps,

the message escapes, is compromised.

 

The men from the church committee have been called

have checked the light bleeding through

have noted a slump, a degradation.

 

The congregation will be informed in due course

funds raised

faith eased

glory restored

one more gesture, a step up

to salvation.