After I Wouldn't Pray at Thanksgiving Dinner

You would think Jesus himself had just popped up
Out of the table dressed in drag, it was so damn silent.
My aunt just sat there and clutched feebly at her chest,
And gasped like she had been shot and was now bleeding 

Through a wide, gaping maw of a hole laid bare in her chest,
While everyone else stared, blank eyes uncomprehending.

I tried to keep my head up level and to fight the urge to 

sink straight down into Hell, while my uncle looked down 

In sorrow at the homemade macaroni in particular.

I could tell by the look on his face that he didn’t expect 

To ever get the chance to stuff his stomach with food now.

Then my cousin turned towards me to introduce her new 

Husband, now looking quite pale, as a Minister for their 

Lutheran church. And after all this, I couldn’t help it. 

My arms came up to cradle my head, and I then let out a snort 

That turned quickly into  helpless giggles of torture, the atheist 

Now offered up as a sacrifice to all, right next to the roasted turkey.