king james

i've got a paperback

king james i found

on a shelf between

the military histories

and jaqueline suzanne.

i wallow in isaiah and

console myself with psalms

and feast on the words:

lips and tongues and fire

bruises, hands, and wool.

stones. fingers. gold.

rivers of blood and wine.

swords and vengeance. lambs.

serpents, smoke and loaves.

desert roads and crowns.

dreams.

beasts and vines and vows.

robes.

kings and locusts. bread.

cedars and oils and breasts.

lions and visions and shrouds.

the jackals and jezebels

beggars and thieves.

the faithful, unfaithful,

the promise of peace.

of course it's also a field guide

for what's transpiring

down the block

behind drawn curtains

and deadbolted locks:

the oaths and lust

and the coveting of

thy neighbor's wife.

i'm waiting to see

the four horsemen,

although i believe

they'll be driving

ford mustangs,

not riding steeds.