Letters From Camp

By Lauren Tyree ~

I've been an ex-Christian for a year now. I like to express my reflections on apostasy through poetry. This poem is written from the perspective of the faith community that I left behind. I picture the residents in a prison camp of the psyche, reaching out to the one who got away.



  LETTERS FROM CAMP


we’re sad that you’ve gone


and we all say hello


with each passing dawn


we miss you more so


————-


our Leader sends love


from His heart to yours


with peace like a dove


He keeps us indoors


————-


(so what’s the air like


outside these walls?


how gray is the sky?


how thick is the fog?)


————-


we hope that you’re well


wherever you are


we really can’t tell


you’ve traveled too far


————


it’s cozy in here


we’re safe from the storm


there’s no need to fear


His grace is so warm


————


(see how quickly that limb


snaps under your feet!


see, you’re helping us trim


the chaff from the wheat!)


————


one day you’ll get cold


and come back inside


the end was foretold


so why even try?