apostasy among the tallgrass

and in the fields where the forget-me-nots
climb sideways, pious and succinct
with bees hanging like earbobs from their blue heads,
the minister composes a sermon and the cicadas
and scrub-legged locusts murmur blasphemies –
apostasy among the tallgrass.

the sun slides along the sky like a gastropod – on it's stomach –
and the houseboat snails ferry across the porchsteps
as mother kneads bread in the kitchen, which expands like the holy spirit.
she tells me that the yeast is alive – a thousand tiny grains
dehydrated creatures, which cluster like the white
membranous conclaves of ant eggs I find under the stepping stones.

the self-important clouds decay at a half-life
the brush of the wind gentle and loveless
and the men standing in the doors of the church as father
talks parables and scripture – he has not had a baptism in seven months.
it has been a dry season.

we hide under the eaves, in the shade after church,
like numbers huddled under a division sign
and father locks himself in his study to read the bible and to pray
as he always has these past seven months, praying for a baptism.
the trees stand waterless and black in the sun,
their leaves curling like lips in disgust
pageantry of the field, choir of the tallgrass

the dry mountain oversee us
like barons

and father's prayers evaporate from his lips.

Reviews

[Emily B]

Let me just begin by saying, that I stopped reading after the first stanza to put this in my favorites. That's not something I've ever done before.

This is amazing work. It ambles along on long legs with a hundred quiet truths. So many phrases that struck me as brilliant, it's enough to make one a little jealous. If one were inclined that way. Amazing work.

[Cool Handless Luke]

A friend suggested this to me and she was correct in assuming I would appreciate the talent you have. This is very good writing indeed from perspectives not so easy to conjure. Very nicely done!

[Through the Gateway]

Very quiet. Very profound. Very good. You have a unique voice.

[Mark Pearce]

This is a marvelous piece. Much elevated to the norm. It shows a great insight into the life of a ministerial family.

It's been a while since I've been as blown away on this site. Good job.

[Doctor JKC]

You fully engaged all my senses.

Wonderful!
Dr.Jack

[AK]

Remarkable writing!

[Raef C. Boylan]

So many great similes and metaphors contained in this poem that I don't know what to do haha!
Reading this was kind of like being hungry and, out of nowhere, being served the most delicious 3-course meal. I gobbled it greddily; now feel satiated, while wondering whether any other meal will live up to this one's standards.

You are a very talented poet.
Thanks for feeding us.

p.s.
"gastropod � on it's stomach �" [it's = its]

[lindsay]

These are my favorite lines:

"the trees stand waterless and black in the sun,
their leaves curling like lips in disgust
pageantry of the field, choir of the tallgrass

the dry mountain oversee us
like barons

and father's prayers evaporate from his lips."

I like how you organized this a lot. The imagery is lovely! I could go on, but i won't lol. Keep writing!

[Legion]

A harsh environment indeed. You have a very impressive talent. I like your writing style. It is full of imagery and the word choice you use is impeccable. Brilliant. Going in my favorites.

[Kevin Vorshak]

A really stupendous piece of writing. Wk said to check out your work. He was right and he pretty much says it all. Still, it is worth repeating, at least to me, the hinding under the eaves like "numbers under a division sign" is truly clever and vivid writing, as well as the rest of it. I can't say enough good things, so I won't. I do look forward to more of your work.

[Butterflymom]

This has got to be one of the most beautiful, and brilliant pieces I've read in a long time! The imagery, and description is breathtaking, and the flow is nice. You display amazing talent in this.