Have Seen, Will See

America, June 2017, in the nave of the church from 1702, a mural of the gospel being preached to successive groups: gentiles, who look suspiciously white, Asians (an Indian woman, a Japanese woman), Africans with breasts in the fresh air, and finally Native Americans, who wear their babies on their backs and cover their breasts. […]

Intersection

On the opposite corner, four guys guard the liquor store with their leisure. That is their leisure and this is mine: a paperback book I bought, the first I’ve bought in ages. I took a pay cut, and stopped buying books. On one corner I have a green bottle of water, two clear glasses, coffee […]

Q & A

“Do you prefer Mozart or Bach?” he asked between algebra problems. “Have you ever been in love?” he asked as we walked to the cafeteria. “Oh, sure,” I said. We were working in a basement office. “Mozart,” I said. “Why?” “Mozart is more romantic,” I said. “It sucks,” he said. “Being in love.” We crossed […]

Chemical

Yesterday I was up at the Cloisters looking at a famous painting of the annunciation. A teeny Jesus is flying in Mary’s window, teeny streaks of light behind him, a toothpick cross on his back. He reminds me of Tinkerbell. The tour guide said the announcement, the word of God, impregnated Mary, so Jesus […]