My Cart 
Login 

This site exists for one purpose only: to help dispel the ugly and absolutely untrue myth that poetry is boring. Granted, a lot of poetry is boring, but you won't find it here. At Your Daily Poem, you'll find poetry that is touching, funny, provocative, inspiring, uplifting, and surprising. It may punch you in the gut, it may bring tears to your eyes, it may make you laugh out loud, but it most assuredly will not bore you! Visit our home page every day to see a different poem.

Poetry on YDP—by poets living and long dead, famous to completely unknown--is specially selected for accessibility and appeal. Thanks so much for visiting—and remember: a poem a day keeps the doldrums away!


 



Church
by
Mark Thalman

This country church 
with its one room and steeple, 
boards bleached to bone, 
endures by the dirt road. 

For miles around, 
stalks of ripe wheat bow their heads. 

Anyone is welcome here. 
The last minister had the doors unhinged 
and carted away. 

Now, white pigeons roost in the belfry. 
When the spirit moves, they burst like shot: 
a choir of wings, afternoon thunder, angels 
into the blue again.

 
This poem first appeared in Seems and The Oregonian.
Used here with the author’s permission.


Mark Thalman, editor of poetry.us.com and author of Catching the Limit (Fairweather Books), has been widely published for four decades. He received his MFA from the University of Oregon, and is retired after teaching English in public schools for 32 years. Mark, also an artist who enjoys painting wildlife scenes with acrylics, lives in Forest Grove, OregonLearn more about him at www.markthalman.com.

Amazon Product



Post New Comment:
Judy:
I've seen this country church with my own eyes a few times in my lifetime but have never seen it this masterfully crafted!
Posted 07/15/2026 09:32 AM
Ginny C.:
Nice piece, very skillfully rendered, every word essential. The church opens to every blessed thing and the spirit of the reader opens upon reading this poem.
Posted 07/15/2011 11:16 AM
Jo:
Thank you for this fine poem.
Posted 07/15/2011 09:15 AM
Linda Lee (Konichek):
Wonderful images and thoughtful message. Thanks, Mark-nice way to start the day.
Posted 07/15/2011 07:57 AM
KevinArnold:
"Boards bleached to bone," with its minimal alliteration. Minimalism . . . saying so much with so little, allowing the reader write his or her own poem between the lines. Fine work.
Posted 07/15/2011 07:47 AM
Rob:
Now there's a church I'd like to join :) Love the detail about the minister unhinging the doors and having them "carted away."
Posted 07/15/2011 06:40 AM
Donal Mahoney:
Such a fine poem by a poet whose work I have encountered before and hope I will encounter again.
Posted 07/15/2011 04:11 AM
Contents of this web site and all original text and images therein are copyright © by Your Daily Poem. All rights reserved.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Purchasing books through any poet's Amazon links helps to support Your Daily Poem.
The material on this site may not be copied, reproduced, downloaded, distributed, transmitted, stored, altered, adapted,
or otherwise used in any way without the express written permission of the owner.