Psalm

i.

it is a breed of heartbreak,
the unempty prayer

offered like holocaust
by soul-fire

like a bloodletting
a suicide implosion

an unwelcomed guest


ii.

the triplethreat:
love&loss&loneliness

being humbly aware
of the immensity of vacancy

the hollowness
the piety of fear

drunk on danger
addicted to penance

afraid of penitence
of the listening ear

of the quiet cry

iii.

in need of benediction
marked with ash

& ready to fail
again,again

listening for the word
that means forgiveness

but sounds like breath
and sounds like breath

and sounds like breath