Sunday Morning Coming Down

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Church bells beat my alarm to my ears

And there ain’t no going back down


In the fridge there is a carton of orange juice and a can of beer

a gander at the calendar confirms Busch is today’s breakfast


snatch a flannel from the floor 

Pull up some breeches from the hamper


A hat’s thrown on my head

And I’m out the door


I take the long way around town to avoid the Methodists

I cut through an alley taking precautions against the Baptists


I pass the Episcopalian church

I ain’t too sure if there are any of em’ in there


By the time I’m down yonder approaching the porch

I’m damn well sure I’m making a mistake


I sit behind the rusted john-boat and smoke a cigarette to clear my head

I splash on cologne from my shirt pocket to hide the stench


I walk into the house to be greeted by a creaky floor

The memory of the smell of pot roast is the only thing that feels welcoming


I take my seat at the table

As the ghosts begin to talk


They ask me about what I know

That new job and so on


I clean my plate 

Hug my mama


Daddy tells me he’s proud of me

If he ever meant it


I hit the sidewalk

The good ole boys pass by in their truck

I light up my second.

NOVUS Literary and
Arts Journal
Lebanon, TN