Offering

The sky was crying long and hard
And Jesus wept by the hospital stairs
And I stood and lit a cigarette
Burnt offering in place of prayer

And I had to see him say goodbye
I came to send him on his way
I doubt he knew that I was there
Or heard a word I had to say

So I took my turn with family
To hold his hand and to kiss his brow
To say I love you always will
I thought it then, I know it now

And I said goodbye and turned away
Out the door and down the stairs
Past Jesus standing both arms raised
To a heedless sky and the sodden air

And I stood and lit a cigarette
Burnt offering in place of prayer