Devotion

By all means, begin.
Fold your hands.
Lower your head
to the appropriate angle of sincerity.

Address the ceiling,
or better, the agreeable echo
you keep behind your eyes.

He is always available.
He speaks your language fluently,
shares your conclusions,
admires your restraint.

Ask for guidance.
Pause, just long enough
to stage its arrival.

There it is.
Remarkably aligned
with what you already wanted.

Record the moment
as progress.

Nothing else will register it.
The clock continues its theft.
The room declines to intervene.

But you have done your part.
You have spoken inward
with ceremonial gravity,
mistaking rehearsal
for rescue.

Outside, the day remains unimpressed.

Inside, the conversation thrives,
limitless, unchallenged,

perfectly agreed upon.