Men and women of varied sins
have been led and misled
while making the most of it
in sacred places.
With me
their prayers fall on deaf ears.
I don’t worship the same gods
and don’t scowl at the whore
with the white gown.
I stepped back,
for an interlude in the unmade beds
that madden them.
No, I said. Not tonight.
I will be remorseless with my verse
driving the dreary lives
to madness.

Justine Duhayon