Amputated Moon

The prophet stands by city hall

speaking words given to her

by the kiss of God

fire in her eyes

singeing her tongue

she calls out the message

“come, repent, see”

all she ever says

all she ever wants

forever and forever

where should I come to

what should I repent of

what does she want me to see

she never tells

the secret

only the fire-words

that are branded

onto my heart

“come, repent, see”

and the cars stream by

like photons of light

each on their own trajectory

and the people cross the street

purposefully

avoiding her eyes and words

no deviations

in the slipstream

of everyday life

her words whisper to me

almost not there

but yet here

and the world moves on

people come by and leave

cars never stop

still she remains

standing by city hall

saying, “come, repent, see”

Pamela Olson, 3/28/08