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Because once upon a time

despite the threat of my mother’s hairbrush

I swam in the river below our house

dog paddling through chicken carcasses  

rotting perch and raw sewage

drifting downstream

from the falls that from a distance

was this white rush of water

spilling over great gray rocks

I attend church despite the disdain of old friends

fight the undercurrents of doubt

dodge the dead fish of boredom and

theological questions bobbing like chicken guts

pray to catch a glimpse of Spirit

flowing from the chalice.