Kim Rodrigues Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

I was visiting my mom’s church in the ‘80s.
This was not my hometown. My Parents
moved when I joined the Navy. 

Sanctimonious Grin

In Boca Raton, the Catholics go
to church,
and leave,
before the host has barely
touched their lips.
Why
are the parishioners
in such a rush
to get to the parking lot?
The priest crosses himself;
too many are already
crossing the threshold
of the church grounds,
waving goodbye
to a restful Sunday,
heading for trouble
with a sanctimonious grin.
Hope they stop
to look within.
My observation: stunned!!!!!!!!!

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Janice Canerdy August 3, 2025 at 5:37 AM Well-expressed point, Kim. Believe me, it's NOT just Catholics! :-) Janice Kim Rodrigues August 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM Oh I’m sure. This was my experience. The church I go to now is much more Spirit-filled, loving and in communion with one another. Hugs

Paige Hind August 2, 2025 at 2:14 PM It's a shame. I felt your last line. Kim Rodrigues August 2, 2025 at 2:25 PM Thank you, Paige!

Bill Baker August 1, 2025 at 6:41 PM It's not just the Catholics, Kim ... them Baptist got to get home in time for the Cowboys game here in Texas. Most churches these days end the sermon 10 mins early, so people aren't causing a disturbance leaving early. LOL Not really very funny. Good message in this one Kim, thanks for sharing. Bill Kim Rodrigues August 2, 2025 at 2:26 PM Thank you, Bill! Isn’t that something!

sara Etgen-Baker August 1, 2025 at 3:44 PM I would've been stunned too. Seems disrespectful, almost rude, to me. Sigh enjoy your weekend, Kim, hugs, Sara Kim Rodrigues August 2, 2025 at 2:26 PM Crazy! Thank you, Sara!

Gershon Wolf August 1, 2025 at 3:21 PM Hey, parishioners don't want to miss that big football game on the TV. lol. Could be, actually. sara Etgen-Baker August 1, 2025 at 3:43 PM actually some truth in your words

Sara Kendrick August 1, 2025 at 2:10 PM Well, most people couldn't wait to get out of the doors of church on Sunday to get to be first in line at some place to eat lunch. Well, I guess they did not eat breakfast. Sara K Kim Rodrigues August 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM That could be… Oh well

Daniel Henry Rodgers August 1, 2025 at 1:19 PM Dear Kim, That snapshot of a rushed congregation slipping out before the host even touches their lips hits with a quiet shock. I think I need to pause, look closer, and maybe rethink how I approach something so important. I felt the sting of that sanctimonious grin and the unspoken troubles that come after. God Bless, Dear Kim, and May We enter God’s house with reverence and love. Daniel Kim Rodrigues August 1, 2025 at 1:32 PM And this is a true story! Happened many years ago (don’t they fly) To be invited to such a “party” (so to say) you would think we’d feel privileged. Hugs and blessing of Christ, dear one!