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Tim Peeler

I'll Take Hell


If it means quibbling over the cost

of church bulletins, temple talks

on stewardship, meaningless

meetings and ritual prayers,

I'll take hell.


If it means these twisted myths,

this hardcore brainwash,

these worthless symbols

as protection from fear then

I'll take hell.


I'll take the wrecking ball

to every church wall.

I'll worship the ruins

and spin a new tale; then

I'll take hell.



Albuquerque three times


Out past the liquor store on Fourth,

Bob's Burger Shack where

a woman with the most expressive face

asks green or red chili? while I stare

at the poster picture of a red Corvette

because she is too lovely to look at.


It is mid-afternoon; the winter sun

bakes the mesa where we walk a path

among black volcanic hills, man-prowled

centuries of pictures rendered in soft stone:

swirling lines, animal faces on men,

snakes striking thousand year poses.


Friday, when the streets close around

the bar blocks on Route 66, the hills

empty into the city, chunky cavalry cops

talking in Spanish as they pass

the Library Bar and Grill, even the moon

rides low, licking the darkness from an alley.


[Index]

Thunder Sandwich #26 - Summer/Fall 2005