Because the father was small
buying all his clothes at Sears Fashions for Boys

the stylish non-style of mimed men's wear
their shoes and spoons and prayers were small

their Christs were small, their Yawehs infinitesimal
themselves slave to wage or the rain that falls in movies

the world soul could fit like a ham
on a platter or in a sock or trousers or skirt

Some Eros, some appetite was behind it
and there the world ended: the variety of garments

of Philadelphia, the flannels of work, the satins of dance
the khaki or Hi-Boy collars and pimped out pants

like the exercises of Ignatius: to see the black/white world
in its distinction before they saw majesty…

See also:

• The book Songs for Two Voices by Bruce Smith.
• Our catalog of poetry titles.