Now Hear This

Your Honor, she cried, I need help.
My old man is drunk on salvation.
He spouts the Gospel like a pot
overflowing, chants Psalms in the
bathroom, intones the Ten Commandments
before breakfast. I am smothered
in Proverbs, if I could put them
in vases I would have Parables
blooming all over the house. I am
dizzy from kneeling, I suffer sinus
complaints from frequent baptism.
I am called to bear witness and each
night in the bedroom with hosannas
the shepherd seeks his lost lamb.
I throw my self on the mercy of the
Court to save me from these Days
of Judgment.

    Original Citation
    Poetry Now 6.6 Issue 36 (1982) 11.
    Word Count
    104
    Original Publication
    Date Published
    1982
    Complete Poems
    432
    Theme(s)
    First Line
    Your Honor, she cried, I need help.
    Poetic Form
    open
    Bibliographic Notes

    HTP lists as 1983. Complete and IAPV1982 say 1982.