SOLITARY


I am
the only Pagan
on this road

walking the line between
sprays of gravel and
white summer blossoms
smaller than my toes

I am
the only Pagan
within gawking distance
of the last ten towns 

whose gravel-eyed residents
have not yet figured out
my religious persuasion
but have figured me
well enough

I may well be
the only Pagan within
the jurisdiction of
the Great State
of Indiana

as the Great
State of Indiana
keeps reminding me

I am definitely
the only Pagan
smiling and waving his
Heathen sunburn to every
motorized Baptist Mormon
Druze Catholic Orthodox
Unorthodox Buddhist Hasidim
Episcopalian Shiite Moonie
Methodist Presbyterian
Lutheran Lex Lutheran
Nonsectarian Unitarian
Unarian Hare Krishnan
Pentecostal Jesus Freak
Sunni Mennonite Missionary
Antidisestablishmentarian
Child of God Fundamentalist
Margaret Murray O'Hareite and
Kragen Auto Parts worshipper

But passing motorists
see just another
damn hobo who forgot
to cut his hair

I pause to pick
a blackberry lunch
staining my fingers with
sweet purple stains
offering a blood libation
on the most delicate
of thorns

I am the only Pagan
in God's Country

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This poem is from On Pagan Roads Copyright © 2004 David Arv Bragi