What Does That Say About God?

the first poem i put on this website. i still think it's one of the best i've written. in a way, took me three years to write it. title stolen from fight club

 

The wound was fresh two years ago.

I tried to bandage the gash

With strips from the Shroud of Turin

But the blood would not clot

No matter how much I prayed.

 

I remember you only as a pair of socked feet

As I walked past your room.

You were still in the blue recliner

From the morning

When I handed you the phone and said,

“It’s someone from work.”

Had I known I’d never speak to you again

Maybe I would have been more thoughtful.

 

My Mother’s face soaked with despair

By the touch of her child’s hands.

Her tears sliced my fingertips

As she tried to find you wherever she could.

 

Azrael erased your name from his book

As I covered up the marks in the gravel

Left by the stretcher.

He told me he’d be back one day.

I told him “F**k Off.”

 

The river of church ladies

Burdened with offerings of honey glazed hams

Flocked to our front door

As if a star was pointing the way.

In a week’s time, you never existed.

 

English Professors would call it foreshadowing,

I say it’s ironic.

The day we watched The Intimidator

Run out of gas on the beach.

His chariot of darkness motionless

Once the White Horse had escaped.

Number 3 was our lam.

We sacrificed

On the altar of sand and concrete

So neither of us would have to feel

The poisoned tip of Death’s spear.

 

Johnny Cash hammered your casket shut

With nine inch nails.

The Man in Black strummed his guitar

In the corner of my room.

Everyone I know goes away in the end.

 

Sato’s ancient blade is now mine.

The perfect sword hangs over my head.

Rats gnaw at the rope

And like the morning

Following a night

Spent in the arms of my lover

Will plunge too soon into my skull.