Hero Worship
Reading biographies as maps, instructions,
Is sure to be a sad pursuit. The gods
Of ancient myths were small and petty, just
Like us. The maddening egos, narrow minds
And blind ambitions of our moment’s heroes
Unrobed, surprise us, why? Because we’re dumb,
Afraid to speak out, call them on their shit.
I’ve worked for assholes. Worked right up to midnight
To see them take the credit for my work.
Expensive takeout doesn’t compensate
For all the hours my kids have lain awake
Hearing the lonely Jersey Transit whistle
Echo along the valley’s bedroom streets.
How do they trust my love when I’m not there?
The monotheists’ Gods, those know-it-alls,
Can offer either tolerant forgiveness
Or fiery judgement but no access to
Compassion. He is God and we are flawed
Humans. He can’t descend to move among
His hinds. How could a God above us under-
Stand us? My deity would join the broken-
Hearted to scoop vanilla ice cream from
A jumbo tub on Friday night. I know
The mightiest and we will never suffer
Together. God will send his only son
To wrestle with the nails we hang him from.
This poem has yet to be published.