TEA PARTY RELIGION – Edna Starbuck

TEA PARTY RELIGION

  
Here I go again lord, "Tea Party Religion,"
I wonder just how the church has survived
                                           as long — as it has.
 
Real life is no party.
Real life is reaching out for something inside us.
Real life is hurting, hating, loving, wanting
                                            waiting, forgiving, accepting.
Not little cakes or cookies we can hold in our
                                            finger tips.
 
                                            Tea Party Religion
I don't feel like my life is real, Lord
I feel like it's a cover up.
I am the way I am because people expect me
                                            to be this way.
I would like to say, “who needs it,”
                                            break away, run.
 
                                            Tea Party Religion
Some days are worse than others,
But I put on my face and go.
I can't cover my eyes though.
If anyone ever really looked at me, they could see.
I wonder why I let them use me like this.
Is it because I see this same — image
Not just in myself but in others.
 
Tea Party Religion — with the little finger
                                           sticking out.
Must be careful now; don't stick out anything more,
Just couldn't get involved; who needs to get involved,
There's even a time limit on it;  
9 to 12 – 2 to 4 – 7 to 9.
When all the while — it's already too late.
My chance has passed by — I'm caught
I don't want to be caught, I fight it
Inside that is.                 No one knows.
I want to be free.
Help me to be free Lord, inside.
                                           Tea Party Religion 

— Edna Katharine Meinert–Starbuck

​Saint Julian Press, Inc. © 2018

Young Woman 1947

Thanksgiving Holiday 2016