At the Church Door

I didn't stay for the closing

hymns and prayers. I felt

out of sorts, so I left.

Someone was before me

at the door: a child, gazing

at a spot on her wrist.

She said, "Can you help me?"

"What is it?"

"A ladybug," she said.

So I opened the door,

and she said, "It jumped off."

We stood looking around.

"It'll be all right," I said.

She went in, and I left,

taking care where I stepped.