Todd Swift
The Preacher on the Tube
Late on the train a father brought his black book out
Thumping it on to the roof of his child’s carriage top.
Above the rattle and against the sway the thing stood
Black as a rain cloud. The gold-sided pages rudely
Raised up a haughty truth. His clipped tie flashed.
Edom’s kid slept on, not knowing the ageless hood
That held a blade above her silent stranger’s head,
To take into her Lamb’s love; to womb a sword
Where a bird might’ve been instead; devastators
Deferred. He stood spread-legged, face enfired,
Rapture-beaconed, all-comers welcome to uphold
His long body with her daughter warmth and cry
While his old tongue congregated Niles and Zions.
Page(s) 346
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