another day with the collar on
another day at court with someone
i can't get over my hatred
of that place
and yesterday afternoon
certainly did not help
greengirl texts me,
soon you will hate
putting on the collar, too
which
gives
me
pause.
is that what i want?
to hate the collar?
i decide:
i'll keep wearing it today
to grab a sandwich and
read my novel in the back booth
to go to the revolutionary meeting
and
to go have a beer
with my favorite revolutionary
i remember advice
from my therapist
after the arrest
do something life-giving
with these same folks
who were dealt death
associate goodness
with their faces
again
so: a beer and chips and salsa
and laughter and plotting
the anti-imperialist softball team
life-giving
associate goodness
with this collar
coming out of the restaurant
we run into a homeless guy
cheerfully staggering down the street
asking for change
for once i actually had some
and dug in my pocket
my favorite revolutionary did the same
he kind of dips his head,
says, "hey! minister!"
grinning
"you got the collar and everything!"
for a split second i think
what?
and then
oh!
"That's right," i say,
"this pastor's been
a busy girl today"
and put my change
in his hand
we head down the street
as he swings his arms wide
and hollers
"God bless everybody!"
"And you too,"
I holler back over my shoulder.
------------
part one is here.
