St. Bartholomew Poem by Jacob Bearer

Bartholomew left the world
the way we all do:
in a red and white martyrdom;
faith that peels your flesh
like a sleeve up your arm -
leaving the world;

kissing the red cheeks of your mother goodbye
after a Folger's morning after mornings
that have worn wood stained seats to sand;
leaving the world.

Flay the pious platitude from your soul
and burn it at the stake in faithful flame.
The world's to be raised in your arms
the way an uncle lifts his three year old niece
who surrenders her tired face to his chest.

Jesus preached leaving the world
by cutting faith into his palms
the way friends take a Buck Knife to their thumbs
and congeal fraternal blood.