when I looked for answers
   you said to be careful
   you said that my faith
was in peril when questioned
you mentioned
   that my "search for truth" was in error
   that all that awaits
is a terrible lesson
you said without God
   there can be no forgiveness
   that evil within us
would go unabated
you stated
   that people were eager to live in
   an unashamed place
that was morally vacant

your liqueur stenched breath
poured past dark yellow teeth
thick with cigarette stains
and your eyes full of grief
as you pleaded with me
to be careful
when I looked
for answers