A girl gets lost in the music,

the blended voice

of the choir sings.

This is only a warm-up,

the sermon is still coming

when the old man speaks

A pew, or two,

behind.

You oughta smile in his house.

The words float over her head

as the visage is becoming

like stone,

cold.

The smile stretches her lips,

It is womanly exercise.

A girl laughs audibly

but mostly as performance

for the others in the surrounding pews.

This part does not feel genuine, does not come easy

all the smiling and singing along

She concentrates her face, taking instruction

Even in sanctuary,

there are governing rules and regulations.