By: Marilyn H. In the church of the deranged lay your head down in my lap I'll stoke your hair while the solemn hymns are sung reminding us of lost loves and roads not taken, of bombs dropping at our feet exploding with toxic breaths and sleepless nights and the disappearance of flower petals and the sight of stars the songs are consumed with tears and sorrow until your broken heart seeps out onto the floor your blood like honey sweetens the singing voices of the insane as I stroke your hair your tears fall on my skin trying to drown my sighs while I'm trying to comfort your empty soul impatient for when flowers can start to grow above my sleeping head because for once maybe I'll help make something beautiful.