memory hurts like an anchor being dragged

pulled cross my mind by the weight of the past

dropped for no good reason by a passing ship

ship of sound

ship of sight

ship of smell

ship of senses lost in the fog

 

i see you now sweating on the floor

cursing the Toronto Maple Leafs on tv

cursing the heat of raw hot peppers on your tongue

sunburned daddy from the day’s work

while every tattoo is an icon in ink

holy to my eyes

you were my godless God

picture of everything i wanted to be

fearless fighter in the bleeding bars

too far now to be seen again

broken on the back of this world

while pride divides from forgiving grace

as Son holds healing hand to father

and a poem of pain becomes prayer

amen to you for the washing of your sins

amen and amen again and again

amen in tears an offered baptism in salt water

amen