Vocations
Vocations
Envy those conjoined to function:
ballerinas shopping in fifth position
humming coroners ladling brains
silent Harpo honking his horn
the evangelical straining to ascend.
Pity those estranged from function:
nubile typists typing legalese
lusting busboys lugging dishes
Pagliaccio donning his motley
the cancerous atheist on his knees.
(1999)
Reprinted with permission of "Envoi," No. 121
