The Hero and The Saint

      Halfway to heaven a hero and sinner rest,
      Grave mouth to mouth, and breast upon breast;
      Long were those kisses as the sky may melt and sway,
      Deep the breaths that crest up there
5             Until mountains are clay.
      Straight upright stand the dead,
      Trumpet upbourne on skull and head;
      No laurel wreaths do their eviscerate hearts display,
      All that song had woven together now lays unmade;
10    And thorn and dust have taken
              All song and tongue away.
      When God's asleep we'll dance as saints,---
      In naked innocence heart and skin may meet;
      Clouds of proud demeanor will fall from our breaths,
15    Our milk kisses pour and taste milk-sweet
              Deaf to the whisper of death.

 

From the collection "Adoring Thorns"

Written by Gregg Glory [Gregg G. Brown]

More information available on gregglory.com.