I Give a Convincing Sermon

I give a convincing sermon. I say The body

is a coat. It is a very dark and heavy coat

but worthless. Mother Mary nods from the pews.

If I give Mary all my atoms she will plant them

in a garden where ripened women relinquish

their bones to make room for littler women.

It is dangerous to grow accustomed to a garden.

Just when the flowers soften you, they disappear.

Then you are a weepy fern among skyscrapers.

I don't want my soul exposed like that.

Neither can you make a garden stay. Don't even try.

Every plot becomes a dark city over time.

I have collected many dark ideas over time.

I have so many ideas they are a second coat.


by Melissa Broder