a fresco washed in blues and greens
***********************************


A dirty yellow light
slanted through
the boarded up windows,

seven p.m.
on a summer night in 1963,
and Father Gregory

was drunk again.
Body of Christ, he giggled,
as he lit the censer.

The alter boy, Nick,
was passed out on the floor,
dreaming of salvation,

and of a fresco
of the virgin,
washed in blues and greens-

fuck you
smeared in red lipstick
across her beautiful face.


©2004/landyman