My Shift Begins at 7PM
(but the choir director insists i stay one more moment)
for Mr. Charlton
outlooking an empty church parking lot / smoke unbridled / wander ears through fuzzy / quiet into distant choir – HAIL MARYs practiced / echoed with a mystical non-committance / a GLORIA while the orange yolk / glow of 6:30 PM burns / away blue sky into black evening / they don’t clap or stomp / limb desires stillness until SUNDAY / energy staved until divine things strike / when pressed coffee beans and sugar cubes / and glowing morning dustmites and mint green gowns / and the quiet intoxication / of abnegated passions / creates a sublime totality on velvet red rows / high above where laypeople sit / enjoying in spiritual revue / holding something honest / high, higher still / full of light / and god’s life.
but for now / it’s a WEDNESDAY night / so i must submit / to this grueling shift / so i must surrender / to the chunky brick and / my backpocketed / rolled stupor of / smoke and subduction / becoming a doll for the / totality of a hungrier / more honest god.
for Mr. Charlton
outlooking an empty church parking lot / smoke unbridled / wander ears through fuzzy / quiet into distant choir – HAIL MARYs practiced / echoed with a mystical non-committance / a GLORIA while the orange yolk / glow of 6:30 PM burns / away blue sky into black evening / they don’t clap or stomp / limb desires stillness until SUNDAY / energy staved until divine things strike / when pressed coffee beans and sugar cubes / and glowing morning dustmites and mint green gowns / and the quiet intoxication / of abnegated passions / creates a sublime totality on velvet red rows / high above where laypeople sit / enjoying in spiritual revue / holding something honest / high, higher still / full of light / and god’s life.
but for now / it’s a WEDNESDAY night / so i must submit / to this grueling shift / so i must surrender / to the chunky brick and / my backpocketed / rolled stupor of / smoke and subduction / becoming a doll for the / totality of a hungrier / more honest god.