Claire collapsed against a pillar in the cathedral, trying desperately not to cry, but failing miserably. Tears streaked down her cheeks, and her breathing was fragmented by sorrow. She wiped her left eye with her sleeve, gasping as she felt her well-kept facade of confidence melting away.
"This is so unfair! Why is it that I'm shunned by everyone except the monster who lusts after me for the sole reason that he believes I'm a sinful creature? What's so wrong with me that I can't be loved by someone good? I've seen people turn down affection greater than I'll ever know. I'd give anything to be treated as an equal. Why was I born the red-headed stepchild when so many humans live happy lives by no merit of their own? You say that everyone is equal in your eyes, yet you allow us to look the wrong way or think the wrong thoughts or love the wrong people! How can you claim to love us when we suffer so?"
She looked down, then batted her eyes.
"God . . . You're a dick."
Then, standing up shakily, she limped to a wheel of light tinted by stained glass, and turned her wet eyes to the radiant figures in the window.
I don't know if you can hear me
Or if you're even there
I don't know if you would listen
To a woman's prayer
I was told that we are equals
And I believe it's true
Still, I envy those above me
That's, of course, including you
Why don't you listen
Why are you sure
That those who despise me
Are those you call pure
You said you loved me
But evidence shows
My voice means nothing
In systems you chose
I don't mean to sound ungrateful
But won't you tell me why
Voices are appraised by status
Through the saints on high
If we truly are all equals
My words should matter, too
But those who know not of squalor
Say I shouldn't question you
Gradually, men and women trickled into the church. They sneered as they passed Claire, regarding her shabby attire with deep scowls. She pretended not to notice their repulsed expressions. They stood as she stood, prayed as she prayed, but though their words overpowered hers, they somehow made the cathedral more empty.
I ask for wealth
I ask for fame
I ask for glory to shine on my name
I ask for love.
-I can possess
I ask for God and his angels to bless me . . .
Afraid of being drowned out, Claire made a final plea.
I ask for justice
Peace for my kind
Don't let them shun us
For face, form, or mind
Dinosaurs, humans
Men and women, too
Don't let them tell us
We're lesser than y-
She was pushed to the side by an old woman.
"Get out of here, you disgusting heretic! This is a place of love. We don't want your misguided thoughts!"
Claire sighed with defeat, then moved into the shadows. The churchgoers began to swarm the light, pushing and shoving for a better chance of being drowned in the fragmented glow. Claire watched them for a moment, then turned away sadly.
Hate us, betray us
Mark us from birth
You have ignored us
But fighting for worth
It's up to us now
The children of Earth
And although she found no help from above, Claire decided that she need not look anywhere but within herself to find the compassion the world so sorely needed.