Practice Resurrection

[I'm still working on this, but I'm excited about it, so I'm posting it now. Title is taken from a Wendell Berry poem.]

1. Learning to Walk

On clumsy toddler legs

off balance and weak kneed

first steps are made

followed by falling

followed by screaming

Eventually

even the drunks

can get down the block

without falling (most the time)

though, they may need

the aid of friends or buildings.

2. Perfecting a Recipe

The first time I made breakfast potatoes

I set the heat too high

didn’t use enough oil

cut the potatoes too big

so the outside was crisp

while the inside was uncooked

After dozens of late breakfasts

made for hung over housemates

I have it down to a science—

red potatoes chopped to 1 cubic centimeter

steak-seasoning with a splash of olive oil

mixed in a large bowl

then micro-waved for five minutes

then fried in a well seasoned cast-iron skillet

over medium heat for 25 to 30 minutes

3. Counseling Session

I explain that I’ve never laughed as hard

at Ron Burgundy explaining

the German origin of San Diego's name

as I did this last week

He smiles

leans back

holds the thought

Tells me that he believes

you can tell how much

a person has been through

by how deep they laugh

I imagine when the kingdom comes

it won’t be long before the whole place

breaks into a contagious belly laugh

leaving the elect gasping for air

their eyes watering and sides aching.