CHURCH OF NO RETURN

I wrote a few poems while I was a student at Wabash College. Today, as I rummaged through a box full of old papers, I came across this one that I kind of liked. 

For your reading pleasure: a poem that hasn't seen the light of day for 30 years - 

The Church of No Return

Pews display their heavy burden -
folks all clad in Sunday best.
Pews distress the congregation -
hardwood is averse to rest!
In this church filled with empty people.

Choir stands to sing an anthem,
a worn-out song with lifeless beat.
Choir strains to feign rejoicing;
no one claps or stomps his feet 
in the church filled with empty people.

Pulpit draws the eyes upon it -
sermon time once again.
Pulpit drones for half an hour;
major theme: It's wrong to sin.
In the church filled with empty people.

Altar dressed in soft silk linens;
there's need to fill the church's tills.
Altar draws the ushers forward;
silver plates bring dollar bills
from the church filled with empty people.

Spirit finds it hard to move here;
this House of God is not a home.
Spirit flies to some new dwelling,
He cannot reap what's not been sown
in this church filled with empty people.