Statistics & Other Silly Gods

The sounds of water splittering on fake rocks
wakes me from my prayer for chocolate
and sleep

The world is a trumpet, a trombone, an organ
and a bass. Resonating through a crowd
of true believers

Baptized in rhythm, they sing together
half the words, because they do not know
better or latin.

After the moments pass, the bread broken
the wine drunk, they shake hands and smile
but this is the end.

Armageddon is here in Lowell,
it is the bitter explosion of despair
where joy should be.

Like mirrors they look at one another searching
for the imperfections and seeing the flab
the wrinkles

The age of reason has ended, Alleluia
go forth in peace and spread your depression
Alleluia.