Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Rolling Zen

The white teacup with blue veins
sits on its round, bone-white throne
of sorts.

The prostitute, weary from walking,

will decide to go home

in two years and an odd number

of days.

The days will surely be odd.

 

The Rolling Stones

have a new album called Om.

This, too, has not yet happened,

though the lost chord will have its say.

 

The yellow number two pencil

sits on the blank white loose-leaf pad.

The words will eventually come,

though the when is not an issue.

 

The midtown bus

carries the weight of saints

to Nirvana Street and the end of the line.

Some say there is a street called Straight

where people regain their sight.

Some say there is no end to the line.

 

The Rolling Stones don’t care

if the line has an end.

St. Paul cared too much

about everything.

He only wrote

on even-numbered days.

He was odd that way,

but very very straight.

 

Ducks ascend from the marsh

against a canvas of purple

turning into crimson and gold.

They’re not sure where they’re going,

but they've regained their sight,

and the ecstasy of flight is enough

to satisfy the urge.


It wouldn't be enough

to satisfy St. Paul.

 

God saw it all

and said that it was good,

but not your god or my god.

It’s the god at the end of the line,

if there is one.

 

Who can tell?

Who can tell?

Perhaps the teacup or the pencil,

the ducks or the bus.

Om.


~William Hammett



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