Ever since Ambrose was a kid, people have been quoting the Bible to him in an effort to get him to modify his behavior.
In third grade he was on top of another kid in the playground and pounding his head off the asphalt for some infraction or other when a teacher tore him off and reminded him that the Bible said to turn the other cheek and to love one's enemies.
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One by one
each brick falls.
No mason now
can fix the wall.
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They’re widows,
old and gray, bent over
a quilting frame, sewing
to meet a deadline
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Gramps by the fire
in his rocker hunched over
is rolling his smoke with care
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This morning at table
as the kids scream for breakfast
and I ask for peace
my wife stirs the porridge
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Raining outside,
and the boy in short pants
swings a broom.
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Middle of the night he flies out of bed
to the commode only to wonder
in the dim light minutes later
if that's blood or simply a good-bye
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Willie McKee works
second shift
gets home at midnight
makes hot cocoa
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The woman,81, is sightless.
She receives a blind
pension check from Missouri
and has for 60 years.
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