mad lark laundry

where i saw an archangel
strip off his stained jeans
and shove them into a toploader
his face flaming

do you know how hard it is
to see god
asked the man who was the message
who was naked but for a rag
who was drunk

a paralysis of awe holds you
even as you try to move
you pee yourself
to get away you close
your eyes

 

jil hanifan
Albany, NY