The Meek
iii
by Ian Bush
he knew that the meek would inherit the Earth,
and he’d shake hands with God,
hands that will probably leave his palm and the fat of his fingers sunburned.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness, so when he gets his inheritance, he will bathe every day.
he reeks.
Maybe something rotting got itself attached to his heels and dragged along? No. It’s all him.
he is a human body
built of river water and filth.
How can he shake hands with God in these rags?
Carrying this stink?
he needed a shower and Sunday clothes.
They won’t let him in gas station anymore.
Maybe all he needs is to be
Baptized in gasoline and set ablaze.
These old rags and this layer of spoiled flesh would rapture,
and a new skin would bloom,
decorated in afterbirth and budding flowers.
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