King James Quoting King David

King James quotes King David

If, by morning, I leave any that pisses against the wall”

I was taught as a child that piss was a vulgar word,

not to be used by persons of good breeding

or polite nature. So you can imagine my surprise

to discover these words in my young teenage years.

A king using such language? If it is permissible for a king

to talk like this, why not a pleb?

Still, I have never felt free to use this word.

I suppose parental admonition is stronger than royal decree.

MDC

March 2018

Driving to Stanthorpe

We set off on the journey, suitably groomed,

clothed, and suitcased for a week at Grandma’s.

Days filled with fresh air, tea and shortbread loomed.

We breathed a mixture of anticipation and resignation.

The potholes in the road were filled with water

that captured fragments of the overhead sky

in portions larger than if they were filled with mortar;

Bringing the sky down so it was over us and under us

Feeling eerie, we drove between two skies expecting the universe

to fissure any minute from our unnatural action,

But the skies remained calm, clouds interspersed,

puffed and pompous like French pastries.

Empyrean dainties plump with heavenly manna,

watery intent dripping from their brows.

The universe split, dumping again its wet hosanna

with distemper and petulance upon us.

Arriving at the matriarchal residence

as we dismounted from our muddied sedan

the cerulean skies belied the sullied evidence;

We looked like travelers venturing from a previous epoch.

MDC

March 2018