Sunday Lunch at the Deli

I snuck in for a quick sandwich

in between Sunday obligations

they occupied a few tables,

family groups pushed together,

community spilling over

after morning worship

occupying physical and social space

their clothes, their look

gave them away ~ different from

how the collar gave me away

teenage boys with belts at their

waists (instead of knees), &

girls more fully vested than

at last night's dance club

dads in uncomfortable suits

and ugly sweaters, moms in

(sorry to say) really big hair

as I finished my sandwich

and they lingered over desert,

I knew I'd have been welcome

with them at worship

but it looked like there was

no room at the dinner table