He Sways

Swaying

like the cross around his neck,

his faith follows.

a pendulum,

swinging back and forth

with the weight of the cross

and the world.

Frightened
he says he believes
but does not attend
to receive the Holy Meal
or gather in community.
So alone he remains
like a lost lamb,
in His presence
unable to peer
through the stained glass,
or compromise
with the stained cross.
Unsure
he prays to his translucent Lord
righteously repenting
only to retreat back into sin
sorrowfully.
Weary
he continues to search
for something to steady the swaying
someone to ease his troubled soul.
But the waters do not part.
his feet are not washed clean.
and the wine is too thin to be blood.
So stagnant he stays,
he carries his burdens,
he wears his cross,
but his faith is ever swaying
ever wavering
ever watchful
and ever hopeful.