Because you are flesh

Because you are flesh you will never completely give into the spirit.

You will drive your fancy car - one that was bought for you - through

the neighborhood, past the billboards and strip malls, down

the freeway to that building that houses your office.

You see the paintings on the wall, some of them made by people you know,

others just stock photos that any street vendor can provide.

Sayings which are supposed to provide inspiration,

like - "live, lie and forget to learn" -

You give some of these a second glance,

you commit some to memory.

The days by the pool, out in the sun, with your body

covered with oil and it will amuse you for a moment

to think that some people want to become brown and

those with dark skin sometimes wish they could be white.

Between the parties you go to,

and the concerts put on by the son of a friend,

you gather salads at the shopping center,

pick up cartons of bottled water

and wash yourself in the tiled shower

after getting up in the morning and before going to bed at night.

But so it is like this and you leave the planter empty

for the doves which will come to roost in your backyard

and sweep the sidewalk in front of your house to save water.

You are of the flesh and occasionally enjoy

that piece of chocolate and red wine of course and

the dirty novel or that film which you would not let your children see

and which you profess to others as sinful and degrading.

But you are not a hypocrite you tell yourself,

and sing on Sundays and make sure that check gets

to who it needs to when your time of the month has arrived -

to support the city charity.

Close your eyes now and rest.

Forget about the traffic that surrounded your car

this morning and the fire truck parked up around the corner and

the pungent aroma of smoldering grass.

Forget about the young worker who came to you for advice and help.

Close your eyes and enjoy the cool sheets.

The moon barely visible like the pornographer's light bulb

discarded under the bureau next to the day bed with floral sheets.