Sunday Ladies

those Sunday ladies – we’ll not forget
their plumage of sobriety
as they’d humbly genuflect
– such bastions of society

hats worn with amazing elan
pious looks of delight on their faces
believing in God’s greater plan
– already quite sure of their places

bake their very best cakes for the stall
knit socks for the halt and the lame
invite the vicar to come round to call
– “and it’s such a huge honour he came”

making visits to those who are ill
but not if it’s something too catching
taking note of the dust on the sill
– and whether the curtains are matching

discussing some marital state
reporting some kid’s bad behaviour
saying ‘wind up in clink at this rate’  
– and all in the name of the Saviour

with such rituals shown week after week
it was hard to equate what we knew
of their cold two-faced ways, so to speak,
– with their posture when sat in a pew

image from http://thesaltcollective.org/lets-give-church-ladies/ (with apologies)