The Religious Exile

She had focused her life
Around religion,
And developed the ability
To quote scripture
And verse verbatim
As if they were
The answer to every
Conceivable question.
She took on an air
Of moral superiority
Based on her knowledge
Of the Biblical teachings
That left her in
Contemptuous isolation
From the rest of humanity.
It was the loneliness
Of her self imposed exile
That finally humbled her,
And forced her to change.
Only then could she
Connect with others
In any meaningful way,
And only then
Could she begin
To appreciate the beauty
Of being alive.