Tree

poem

Jeffrey climbed the tree
even though he knew
it was wrong

He hoped his pastor
would not see him.

Jeffrey’s pastor owned 
this whip.

Jeffrey climbed higher,
even though it was a sin.

A shard of glass tipped
each of the whip’s
900 tails. 

In memory Jeffrey watched
the whip flash at Brian’s back
again and again.

If only Jeffrey knew that right then
his pastor sat on a bus, 
heading uptown to buy 
leather conditioner.

He’d won a prize at seminary
for superior whip maintenance.

****

In my denomination we’re allowed to climb trees, and my pastor’s whip just has a single tail, doesn’t hurt that much.