There are yellow roses at Mary’s feet
and two fingers missing from her right hand.
She looks fragile, but the other at the pulpit
looks more like a harlot. Jimi Hendrix would enjoy

her company as he sings Mary,
Mary, Mary. Would he be allowed
in this place? The secret cast of his penis
on full display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The tooth of a saint is tagged with my name.
I place pink roses at Mary’s feet, consider lighting
a candle with the suggested three dollar donation.
I have only two in my pocket. My period
should begin today, but I haven’t kept track.
All these crying women make me want to pray.

—–

Nicole Lourette is a recent graduate of Chatham University’s MFA program and lives in Pittsburgh, PA. She is a 24-year-old biracial woman of color. She is on Twitter, @nlourette