Sinners and Saints
of Second Street
shift restlessly and
knelt and prayed.
Heavenly Sun passed
behind thorny crowned
buildings downtown
on a slow baptismal
plunge into the river.
A double minded man
offered up dime stone
burnt offerings
to gods to foul
have names.
Lost and blind
panhandlers shared
potluck dumpster
offerings and
screw top bottles
of wine
The mentally ill
on pharmaceutical fasts
had visions and
dreamt dreams.
A lonely angel
flapped her wings-
unhappily, impatiently-
and Jesus whispered
with Jackie Masons voice
in my ear.
I turned away
and Jackie shrugged,
hands deep in his pockets,
I turned my back
