[Sometimes a sonnet’s not enough]
RD
There’s this New York guy at the gym, muscled,
But not like in the old days. Back then he
Was Mr. Bigshot Iron Bar. Then tussled
With a Spirit and now believes he sees
The Truth! Preaching faith, he joyously quotes
The Psalms incessantly. I asked him once
How come his lord decreed at Jericho1
The death of all: women, men, young and old,
Of oxen, sheep, and asses for god’s sake!
Undaunted, gleaming with a wicked grin–
“Marv, understand—god rules, and needs to make
A point. Those pagans all were steeped in sin!”
I slumped, defeated, let my arm curls go,
And wondered, stacking weights back in the bin:
Just how did cherished pagan infants show
Contempt for god? What was the donkey’s sin?
His holy blather—everyday it trawls
The gym. And yet, he barely can endure
His own dark plague: he hates his wife, can’t cure
That spite. Should leave, but doesn’t have the balls.
She wastes, berates, as did his ancient lord,
And puts his god-drenched2 spirit to the sword.
(12/27/06)
1 See Joshua, 6:17and 6:21.
2 E.L. Doctorow created this happy juxtaposition.