small as a beggard bird
hidden in the darker branches
he receded within himself
lost among the brighter people
blessed by the impoverished rich
with the gift of Hebrew at the altar

“Pray that my donation might blaze
before my fellow congregants”

a dull-eyed charity case
shambles to this holy place
and swells with the presence
roars with the presence
spreading fire like disease
among the innocent and unwary
the least of these
now exalted above all