As Good as Church

/ Issue 15.2 /

The super, huffing, in distressed work gloves,
is lugging others’ rubbish to the curb.

His boots, with each pass, scatter rats and doves.

He straightens, lights a roach and, sighing herb,
thanks God for Codeine and his chiropractor.

He sees a garbage truck approach the mound
and trash bags leaping into the compactor.

Hydraulic strain creates a crunching sound
and instant incense.
…………………………………Bad fish, tepid beer,
soiled diapers, sweetened by the reek of pot,
are no gateway to Heaven; they are here
and now:
……………….the ceremony on this spot,
the cleansing revelation that it is,
when he, or anybody, notices.

Aaron Poochigian

Aaron Poochigian

Aaron Poochigian earned a PhD in Classics from the University of Minnesota and an MFA in Poetry from Columbia University. His first book of poetry, The Cosmic Purr (Able Muse Press), was published in 2012 and, winner of the 2016 Able Muse Poetry Prize, his second book Manhattanite came out in December of 2017. His thriller in verse, Mr. Either/Or, was released by Etruscan Press in Fall of 2017. His work has appeared in Best American Poetry, POETRY and The Times Literary Supplement.
Aaron Poochigian

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Author: Aaron Poochigian

Aaron Poochigian earned a PhD in Classics from the University of Minnesota and an MFA in Poetry from Columbia University. His first book of poetry, The Cosmic Purr (Able Muse Press), was published in 2012 and, winner of the 2016 Able Muse Poetry Prize, his second book Manhattanite came out in December of 2017. His thriller in verse, Mr. Either/Or, was released by Etruscan Press in Fall of 2017. His work has appeared in Best American Poetry, POETRY and The Times Literary Supplement.