Wyatt Mischler
“Sorry I’m Late. I Ran Over a Bug.”
shouldn’t that be the way it is?
buddha would’ve said it. jesus would’ve.
if the christian martyrs were employable
(their record of anti-government activity
is a difficult hurdle in interviews) they
would call out of work if the clouds were too pretty.
translate the chatter of whales and dolphins
(it is untranslatable only
to people who have the wrong attitude)
and you will hear a million ways
of providing an excuse. they have a baroque skill
for it. excuses are their poetry.
it’s their favorite kind of speech.
“sorry. i don’t feel like it today.”
the platinum-bedecked starlike angels
have sung that phrase since forever.
they’re singing it now. since you
can’t seem to hear it, all I’ve done
is relay it to you.
you’re welcome.