West Bank Liturgy

The sidewalks of this city are my labyrinth
broken bottles and shabby men

roasting coffee and gutter garbage tickle God’s nose like the prayers of the saints
incense of the West Bank
I’m a pilgrim of the streets
looking up from my feet
on the way to Hard Times Cafe

Somali women condemn the cold
businessmen drive through on their daily trek to Temple
gutterpunks on bicycles mock motorists
students still in bed
these are icons of the West Bank
I’m a pilgrim of the streets
looking up from my feet
on the way to Hard Times Cafe

Somali men banter on the corner
Like crowded pigeons attacking day old bread
Cooing and clucking with tongues of fire
Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to the God of Abraham
I’m a pilgrim of the streets
Looking up from my feet
On the way to Hard Times Cafe

Tree roots crawl through the forgotten soil
Challenging, pushing, wriggling free from the confines of their cement overlord
subverting the sidewalk
an arbor day revolution!
a Kyrie for the West Bank
I’m a pilgrim of the streets
looking up from my feet
on the way to Hard Times Cafe

Riverside Plaza rises to the heavens
A Tower of Babel for the Liberal Utopia
Its shadow marking the time
Across the face of the neighborhood
A silent call to the Divine Office
I’m a pilgrim of the streets
looking up from my feet
on the way to Hard Times Cafe

I’m a pilgrim of the streets
looking up from my feet
on the way to Hard Times Cafe!