Hell In a Handmaiden Basket

He hath become religious of late prostrated before the virgin Mary Cornflower blues blown to wild violets and thin lines puckering in concentration Prayers spilling in loud sputters from his mouth She hath listened a time or two to testimonies led by callused hands Run lukewarm holy water upon him Coaxing gentle promises from cold maidens candlelight vigils by the goose feather altar Ordered 10 Hail Marys, and 5 Our fathers and she bled for both of their sins