Sunday Morning in Church

Sunday Morning in Church

Renee Emerson

Across the aisle, my daughter
sits with a row of girls
in Sunday dresses, bright
as so many persimmons,

pens poised as the preacher
tells us Abraham still believed
God was good as he lifted
the knife over his bound son.

We stand to sing a closing chorus,
pianist with her back turned to us.
The bulletin marks my place.
My daughter pales and sways—

my Victorian heroine, prone
to fainting—not enough
water this time? Locked knees?
Wavering, she lifts her hands

through the hallelujahs. I reach her
just in time, and later teach her
you can praise from down low, you can
praise when you can’t stand.

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Renee Emerson
Poet

Renee is the author of the poetry collections Keeping Me Still (Winter Goose Publishing 2014), Threshing Floor (Jacar Press 2016), and Church Ladies (Fernwood Press 2023). She lives in the Midwest with her husband and five children. You can read more of her work at www.renee-emerson.com and her book reviews at www.reneeemerson.substack.com. 

Painting by Wilhelm Marstrand (Danish, 1810-1873)