SAINT JULIAN PRESS
DAVID BRENDAN
HOPES ~ POET
On the Adoration of the
Shepherds
God is born tonight in the next town.
Be serious. Who wouldn’t go?
Lock the back door. Turn the furnace
down.
Throw a handful of food at the dog.
Blow
off the dinner with the couple you really like.
Riffle through the bills for those
which absolutely will not wait. Take a hike.
The way? The consequence? The point?
Who knows?
Select a path, an avenue, goat trail, a
turnpike,
on through the twilight and the early snows.
Angel voices are, of course, a plus,
but go in dark and silence if you must.
Remember to seek the narrowest wretched
door.
Prepare to diminish, resign, dispense,
adore.
PENIEL