an easter query…

crossing
the railroad tracks
the pastor
arrived
at
an old
post-war bungalow
residence
of
miss maybel
who
in her prime
was
much sought after
by
a number
of
the town’s
most
charming
and
handsome
men
of
color
but
she had said
no
to all
saying
i’ve fought
for
women’s rights
civil rights
and
looked after
white folks’ homes
and
their children
so
i don’t
have time
or
energy
to look after
anyone else
but
myself
age
took her suitors
some
time ago
as well as
most
of
her women friends
she didn’t make it to
good friday service
so
pastor
decided to stop by
she didn’t
answer
the door
but
it was open
calling in
he thought
he heard her
so
he entered
pale
sitting
in a chair
was maybel
death
even makes
a man of god
stop and evaluate
life
but
he quickly
resumed his role
and
asked
if she
was ready
to meet
her maker
with
her last
inaudible
breath
she answered

 

drop by today #21…

when dreams go empty
life becomes a shallow stream
not worth wading through

 

when the service ends…

 

the police report
noted the beast was concealed
surprised witnesses
claim worship was quite normal
but just outside the entry
faith’s face was strewn on the ground

 

the soul’s silhouette…

 

all your bosom friends
the shadows that follow you
reveal your true form
for they are either like you
or outline your desires

 

becoming nothing…

 

as a child
he had watched
the story
of pinocchio
and
had giggled
at
the thought
of
one’s nose
growing
with
each lie
told
indeed
he had tested
the
hypotheses
and
found
no evidence
to
support it
so
when
he joined
government
he had no qualms
about
lying
to his constituency
such
betrayal
was part
of
his future plans
for
becoming
one
of
life’s emperors
but
with each lie told
the embodiment
of
the person
the
public
had elected
slowly
became
invisible
like pieces
removed
from
a chess board
his
endgame

 

willing to face in his…

 

and
the judge
stood before a mirror
and
called for the defendant
to
stand
beside him
the judge
staring into the mirror
compared
each of their features
carefully
and
then
with a tone of voice
that was
incontestable
declared
you are
guilty
for
i see
my
beast
in you

 

new zealand viewpoint #2…

 

make no mistake friend
there will be no surrender
in her eyes or soul
she defiantly staring
into the future she sees