Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH

Street-corner prophets

lay out newspaper headlines,

like the word of God in witness,

at the feet of passersby.

“You’ll be sore afraid.

     Buy a Mazzarati.

You can shave your beard,

     but n—z get lined up for adultery.

Pork.

     Lobster—"

(thus saith the LORD)

comes incoherent the sermon on the curb.

Street-corner profits:

a buck or two for the homeless man

offering benedictions

for blind eyes turned and heads let hang.

One keeps silent.

Another rambles.

One lets his pants down

to the ankles.

Go and Do Thou Likewise

And who is my neighbor?
The answer in the question—
(subject complement)
who is my neighbor.

The Ballad of the Knighting of Don Valentino Olivante de Sales, Blesséd of the Cicada

The herald lit upon his blade

whereby its dulcet droning laid

a benediction on that arm—

chanted by Gregorian charm.

Then did knight-errant raise his breast 

to set off once more upon his quest—

cicada blazened on his crest—

Don Olivante, of cicada blest.

The Kingdom of God Is Come Nigh unto You

The Kingdom comes
(is near at hand)
to bear you up—
or bear upon you.

Peace for peace!
or piece by piece,
the dust of Sodom,
long-destroyed,
shakes from sandals
in rebuke.