Scott Simpson · Poetry

Cistine

Selected Poems 1989 to 2009 · source pages 239

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Source page 239

Cistine

On the ceiling Adam is

naked

and waiting

for God

whose finger has always

seemed so close

clouds move

slowly

the apple, half eaten

rests upon

the bologna sandwich

his wife wrapped

for lunch

It's hot today

next to the fresco

where he waits

bare skinned

trowel in hand

for his instructions

picking the stubborn bits

of apple peel from his

teeth