When I See God

When I see God She/He/They
appear as either an older Black woman
or a middle-aged white man

God as an older Black woman
is a redeemer, so close to getting involved
always standing,
as if about to walk towards something
sometimes curt in speech
sometimes speechless,
though still loud in wisdom
like an experienced educator
she expects me accept,
“you already know,
you don’t have to ask”

God as a middle-aged white man
is normally in a sitting position,
expecting questions,
expecting to have to answer
wanting to hold back,
but can be persuaded through argument
to explain Her/His/Their behavior
to clarify the scope of inaction
satisfied to be left out of religion
having no religion,
but those She/He/They have visited

and that can be no religion
of the masses
or various texts
or assigned sanctioned prayers

just the speech of knowing
and the gift of company