5146. MYSTERIES OF TIMING

MYSTERIES OF TIMING

See how many disregarded items return

to haunt or break us : the Minister in his

play, his wife, eating nestled biscuits imported 

from another land. He takes a hatchet to his hand,

but stops before he strikes once more. 'I do not

will to do this. It would not be.' And, satisfied once

more, he walks away. Such pride before the man

of God  -  he who thinks the path is righteous,

he too sometimes doubts.

-

Inside the hat-house, a few matrons loll about;

inside this scripture store all these used goods are

sold as gifts for the poor  -  money turned over

once per month. 'We would sell most anything, yes, 

but  -  surprisingly  -  what sell the most are shoes 

and picture frames. we can never understand that.'

She turns, and again faces the closet that brims

with old LP's and funny gadgets. In the window

shine a few wretched, old clocks.

-

I am where I am and I've brought myself there.

It's on this street where timing seems most to

have missed his denatured mark : a human

thing, a very human thing.