2025, Ohio River Valley Literature, poetry, sonnet

Baptisms come wrapped in pvc, too

This Sunday, the prayer involves
hoping the kitchen sink repair holds;
being raised in a small town
of too many churches, I was taught
all divine petitions should be specific
especially those that involve plumbing.

Following scripture, I pray alone
knees on linoleum, head bowed
and in the cabinet as I wrestle this devil
of a P-trap. After all
heaven helps those who DIY — right?
The sermons are not clear on this point
but a 2nd pilgrimage to the hardware store
might offer the proper revelation.

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2024, Ohio River Valley Literature, poetry

Timber Jesus

Take the cool morning breeze for what it is:
a tease a memory like an awkward prom date
30 years after. Rise to the day
the way a fallen tree might if Christ was a Lebanese Cedar knowing full well
you’ll end up with some bloody corpse
strapped to your back.

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2022, Ohio River Valley Literature, poetry

not enough heart go ’round

build you a tin man jesus: make
him a smile a sorrow pocket paint
annually over the rust replace
the occasional broken bolt
rename it revival

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