Forgive Us Oh Lord

 

 

                         Belief starts in the cradle

                         when the first nipple is nursed

                         now the nipples are plastic

                         powered by secret engines

                         run through the computer

                         of some velvet seduction

                         the soft ware of planned exposure

 

                         God they say is shaped like a man

                         despite Xenophanes’ plea

                         why not God of Pigs

                         whose great sow belly

                         sheds its own radiant light

                         yet the politician wears a tie

                         believe in me  he says

                         I am a man shaped like you

                         in God’s image

                         therefore I must be true

 

                         Shall we wander together

                         into that poolroom of the past

                         where the cue is always chalked

                         and the talk is pure?

                         blessed with its own liturgy

                         “Dressy shoes and Pizza Pie”

                         set to the tinkling sound

                         of ivory ball against ivory ball

                         plotted on green hued tables

                         against the rush of Galaxies

                         in their own daily orbit

                         light years away

 

 

 

                                                      Jack Mashman 

                                                      1992