The Judgement of Vision

The warrened den of foxes,
passage louvred with branches
sweetly interlaced,
admitting just the pointed faced..

Before the church a Christ of bronze,
extending palms with an ironic smile;
The congregation paid with alms
for pediment and full surround of tile.

Abandon hope ye squirrels and rats
who come too near the canine bower
at dusk; a warning to all feral cats
who prowl the phosphorescent flower

The die was cast in Italy that made him
and thousands more for foreign places.
Do not fault Christ for poses that are dim
or trace of bitterness upon his faces.

The works of workshops mass produced
inform a vision deeply jaded;
the artisans of fields and forest used
to feast after the light had faded.