Prayer Meeting

Way after night has put on his robe,
we put the washpot to the door
to catch our voices.

In the middle of all the shouting
and praising is the prettiest black boy
with big cow eyes

and my heart
sets to beating like a drum.
Folks laid out on the ground,
slain in the spirit
and all I see is this boy:

he has the straightest string of pearls
for teeth.