the false priests

A dear friend was talking of an ex who seems to hang around every time he fails to connect with a date, speaking in selective nostalgia. She asked what to do...I told her to let him talk to himself all he wants...then this occurred to me...

the false priests

They're still out there,
the false priests of false religions,
offering mock sacraments
to convince you of their sincerity.

They talk the talk in tattoos
on tongues too dry from shallows
lapped as they clapped their hands
at their own rote imitations of charity.

You can see them now
as they still wander by, casting "pearls"
they bought without seeing the seams
on the dreams they cannot let free.


William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.