When you've lived
in a cathedralprison
and you stand on a pew
to chuck an offering plate
through a stained-glass window
to bore an escape for yourself
and walk through
At first,
the lights are offensive
the sounds oppressive
a sensory overload
causes you to rethink your exit
But give it time:
your eyes and ears will adjust
and you'll remark
"Oh, there is kindness out here, too."