Steve is on (to) something

rain falls lightly
not manna from heaven but -
dark petals, wilted roses;
the bitter aftertaste lingers in the air
long after the last tears
have dried and left their marks:
ravines on a craggy face
ravaged by the storm.

8-McDo Deliverywhat number are you calling from?

i really would love not having to tell you(insert telephone number here)

sir, your delivery address is (insert address here)

oh, i really like that you know what my address is,but you know, you got it wrongno, it’s not, it’s (insert address here)

so sir may i take your order?

(insert order here)

just to repeat sir, here’s your order:(insert order here)is that right?

actually, it’s not. it’s supposed to be(insert order here)

oh, i’m sorry for that sir

no you don’t sound sorryif only you’d say it because you really mean it

i’m sorry for that sir

didn’t you hear what i just saidno, you’re not sorry

so sir, please expect your order in 30-45 minutesthank you for calling 8-McDo Delivery

no, thank you call centersfor what you’ve done to the service industry

he was spending too much time in the confessional,
they started to notice,
spent too much time cleaning up the wilted carnations
that never left the feet of wooden icons.
too much time dusting out the cupboards that held
the ironic white of sullied vestments.
ah, they cooed, how nice, he will become a seminarian!
and parents glad, turned their eyes the other way,
parents happy, never noticed the way he never betrayed
any hint of betrayal, for alas he never knew,
never got to that part of catechism
when reverend father took him aside
and took away his innocence.