Mary's Lament at the Millennium

from Miracle Strip by Matt Layne

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Music:
Ned Mudd
Sparkle Nine

lyrics

Mary’s Lament at the Millennium

Each night the Holy Ghost chooses the best workers to visit
and lavish with fertile kisses,
and so each morning they rise,
slates wiped clean,
but for the slightest taste of dust at the back of the throat.

Each day another chance at promotion
is muffled by horns bleating at stoplights turned go-green.
A file drawer scolds open to another metal-upon-metal working day,
and that meeting with your boss is drawn and tight as your cubicle.
Soon your blood teems with daily injustices and becomes a wholly different substance.
Small stresses steep like tiny tea leaves until the black kettle shrieks,
and you’re out among the herd baaing back home.

Kneel and pray each night that every exhale
is followed by an inhale.
Let every breath breathed be miracle.
Should the Spirit one night leave you,
should you become only, only,
know that we, your co-workers, shall grieve you
and brass-plaque-remember you.
Especially, the dutiful way you arrived each day:
blessed,
dressed,
and ready for work.

credits

from Miracle Strip, released August 31, 2022
Music:
Ned Mudd
Sparkle Nine

license

about

Matt Layne Birmingham, Alabama

Poet, librarian, raconteur; Matt Layne has been poking hornet's nests and looking under rocks since he was knee-high to a peanut peg.
I reckon you oughta check him out.