Salvation Army Girl
A Salvation Army girl stands on the western
steps of a Cathedral Church, whose leathern doors
now open and now close, like tired chimes.
As stop-go lights transmit their messages
of danger and safety, her tireless, vocal eyes
speak, as voices speak to bells or drums.
" The City of God spreads out before me
here, in the western Babylon.
Heavenly Salem is here, amid fumes of Hell
where the streets lead to destruction.
I judge not abomination
by my faltering tongue, infallible.
Here, in my own thin lap
is the seat of abundant mercy.
Here, in the womb of the Scarlet Whore
lies the ever unborn, the ever virgin.
Here a fresh stream, for all who would drink
springs through the brine of the ocean. "
Vernal notes drop down; while brazen tongues
chime, both eyes close; the high bells chime;
like feathered coins, the bells, or cherubim;
like maple seeds, the chimes, like autumn sunrise
bells fallen on her tambourine with coins;
and copper drum-taps startle icy bells.
Bear her, ye flaming bells and buoyant words
to the Gate of Swords (unlatched but guarded)
even as the war horse of devouring Faith
once carried Joan, the Maid
with stamping, foam and snorting,
docile beneath such timid mastery.
Hailing a truck, loaded with brick bats
and giving all her collection to the driver
a Salvation Army girl, openly at noon time
gathered an idle crowd of sailors
from the 10c bread line of the Cathedral soup kitchen
and 35c flop house.
— " I am a child of peace " she said.
My unfaltering tongue is fallible.
But if I were you, I would smash these painted
windows of the Justice of abomination
and break the abundant idols, carved
upon these Babylonian doors.
— Your damage to the Devil's property
would not count up to more than you have paid
begging and stealing, to maintain the right
of asking to be kept alive. "
Bricks drop like bats. And smashing glass;
like thundering guns or chimes of money;
runs all heaped and scattering
like topsy-turvy tambourines of change
till silently, the mob dissolved from her.
— The total loss has not been figured
though the clergy spent the afternoon
pounding Cathedral adding machines.
— The Salvation Army girl, held for inciting to riot
is released on bond for psychopathic observation.
— General Evangeline feels no responsibility
and Captain Miles Standish tells our special correspondent
that he has always taken pains to get on pleasantly
with the Bishop and Trustees of the Cathedral Church
of Mary, the Star of the Sea.
steps of a Cathedral Church, whose leathern doors
now open and now close, like tired chimes.
As stop-go lights transmit their messages
of danger and safety, her tireless, vocal eyes
speak, as voices speak to bells or drums.
" The City of God spreads out before me
here, in the western Babylon.
Heavenly Salem is here, amid fumes of Hell
where the streets lead to destruction.
I judge not abomination
by my faltering tongue, infallible.
Here, in my own thin lap
is the seat of abundant mercy.
Here, in the womb of the Scarlet Whore
lies the ever unborn, the ever virgin.
Here a fresh stream, for all who would drink
springs through the brine of the ocean. "
Vernal notes drop down; while brazen tongues
chime, both eyes close; the high bells chime;
like feathered coins, the bells, or cherubim;
like maple seeds, the chimes, like autumn sunrise
bells fallen on her tambourine with coins;
and copper drum-taps startle icy bells.
Bear her, ye flaming bells and buoyant words
to the Gate of Swords (unlatched but guarded)
even as the war horse of devouring Faith
once carried Joan, the Maid
with stamping, foam and snorting,
docile beneath such timid mastery.
Hailing a truck, loaded with brick bats
and giving all her collection to the driver
a Salvation Army girl, openly at noon time
gathered an idle crowd of sailors
from the 10c bread line of the Cathedral soup kitchen
and 35c flop house.
— " I am a child of peace " she said.
My unfaltering tongue is fallible.
But if I were you, I would smash these painted
windows of the Justice of abomination
and break the abundant idols, carved
upon these Babylonian doors.
— Your damage to the Devil's property
would not count up to more than you have paid
begging and stealing, to maintain the right
of asking to be kept alive. "
Bricks drop like bats. And smashing glass;
like thundering guns or chimes of money;
runs all heaped and scattering
like topsy-turvy tambourines of change
till silently, the mob dissolved from her.
— The total loss has not been figured
though the clergy spent the afternoon
pounding Cathedral adding machines.
— The Salvation Army girl, held for inciting to riot
is released on bond for psychopathic observation.
— General Evangeline feels no responsibility
and Captain Miles Standish tells our special correspondent
that he has always taken pains to get on pleasantly
with the Bishop and Trustees of the Cathedral Church
of Mary, the Star of the Sea.
Translation:
Language:
Reviews
No reviews yet.