On my way to Meng’s in Coney Island <br />I spotted Bird, hadn’t seen him <br />for a couple of months, still had <br />that easy laugh, but looked older <br />worn, hair turned greyer, <br />talking to a fellow wearing a yellow baseball cap <br />telling Bird he better get straight with the Lord <br />because wine wasn’t doing him any good. <br />Bird said, “Jesus don’t mean nothing to me.” <br />Joe Delaney appeared. <br />The man with the baseball cap <br />handed Bird a sheet of Bible information <br />saying, “Read this for comfort.” <br />“Are you a Preacher? ” Delaney asked. <br />“My name is Wilbert Taaffe, <br />servant of the Lord.” <br />“Been thinking about the Almighty a lot, ” said Delaney, <br />“and I was wondering if God laughs.” <br />Taafee simply said, “Listen to Jesus.” <br />Bird lifted a bottle of Thunderbird <br />from his back pocket, swallowed <br />deeply, finished off the pint, then said, <br />“God's laughing at you right now, Delaney.” <br />Then turning to me asked, “Got cash, Bernstein.” <br />I slipped him a dollar, and off he went <br />the liquor store just down the block, <br />Taafee after him, why I don’t know <br />because that dollar would be spent. <br />Delaney closed his eyes <br />and missed Fanny wheeling a miniature Collie <br />in a cherry red baby carriage. <br />“Have mercy on my soul, ” she said. <br />I reached into my pocket <br />and gave her all the change I had, $1.30. <br />Then to Delaney: “Have mercy on my soul.” <br />Silence, Delaney listening for Heavenly tones. <br />“Mister, mister, ” said Fanny. <br />not deterred, pork chops on her mind <br />also applesauce and the almost real mint jelly. <br />Finally stepping on his toe and again: <br />“Have mercy on my soul.” <br />Delaney’s eyes popped open <br />saw the carriage, no baby, only the tiny Collie. <br />Once more: “Have mercy on my soul.” <br />“He don’t speak to me, ” Delaney moaned <br />as I handed a five to Fanny.<br /><br />Charles Chaim Wax<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/various-aspects-of-divine-knowledge/
