Gospel Stories

1. That which is Conceived

I was filled with regret
the moment
I lifted that sparrow's egg
then emptied it

by blowing very hard
but softly
into one pinprick and out
the other.


2. My Father's Business

My father's legendary fear of heights
an amazing fact when the cloudy skylight
opened to reveal the cloudy sky itself,

and he leaned or do I mean collapsed
against the chimney stack. I slipped off
my sandals and pattered light as rain
...