RAY
It’s absurd to say we’ll live forever
but just as absurd to say we won’t—
the angels sitting on the treetops
have a purpose, whether they be real or not.
The Irish bar has been closed down
but if a man or woman were to look inside
they’d see us both with our friends, drinking away
and issuing proclamations certain to save the world
if only our leaders were bold and had them enacted.
A portrait of President Kennedy stills hangs on the wall—
the beautiful barmaids still carry trays of beer
and starlings in the blue light rest in their hair.
Perhaps here everlasting is a condition as well as a word—
let’s engage in another round. Let’s keep giving it a chance.
NOT TOO CLOSE
On some Sundays it seemed
that God was close.
– Adam Zagajewski
I believe God doesn’t want
to get too close.
There are billions of people
on earth—how does one
even begin to play favorites
among so many?
A man asks for enough money
to buy a yacht, and he snags both.
Another man asks for a little extra
“please” and doesn’t receive a penny.
Who wins, who loses is a mystery,
especially to God who must throw up
His hands more than we’d like to imagine.
I admit there was a time
I looked to the heavens and made
my requests, none of which ever came
to fruition. But I know it isn’t easy
and I have no desire to blame.
God has eternity: that’s His problem.
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