My Daughter in Church—Renee Emerson

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My Daughter in Church

by Renee Emerson

Across the aisle, my daughter
sits with a row of girls
in Sunday dresses, bright
as so many persimmons,

pens poised as the preacher
tells us Abraham still believed
God was good as he lifted
the knife over his bound son.

We stand to sing a closing chorus,
pianist with her back turned to us.
The bulletin marks my place.
My daughter pales and sways—

my Victorian heroine, prone
to fainting—not enough
water this time? Locked knees?
Wavering, she lifts her hands

through the hallelujahs. I reach her
just in time, and later teach her
you can praise from down low,
praise when you can’t stand.

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Originally published in Ekstasis Magazine

Renee Emerson is a homeschooling mom of five, born and raised in west Tennessee. She is the author of several poetry books, most recently Church Ladies (Fernwood Press, forthcoming May 2023). When not doing the dishes or trying to get her two year old to wear clothes, she can be found writing poetry, walking outdoors, and reading aloud to her kids. She reviews books at reneeemerson.substack.com and her website is www.renee-emerson.com.

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash