Terry D. Sutherland

DOING TIME

Sometimes when the choir sings
Their robes rustle when they rise
The joy their tempered voices bring
When it’s time to loosen ties

Finally, signaled by their last song
The preacher’s final prayer is done
Seems the sermon was hours long
For the benefit of souls already won

The congregation stands and turns
Greeting neighbors, friends and kin
In the basement are coffee urns
When the pot-luck lunch begins

What a way to spend the day
When Sunday church is done
When you’d rather get away
And fish till the setting sun