Silk Bandannas

When I went to church I wore a silk
bandanna to show modesty
before the Lord

hiding luxurious waves of amber highlights
so the worshipers could concentrate
on the gospel instead of my emerging
adolescences adorned like the Virgin Mary

humble and obedient to the God above.
Sometimes I wore a lace mantilla
but in springtime it was a pastel hat
with feathers and netting adding fashion

with patent leather shoes and matching purse
competing with the other girls
to attract the most attention

with heads bowed in prayer.

Somehow spirituality got lost
in those days when appearance
was more important than substance

but all things change and the bandannas
were discarded along with other traditions

of the church.