How Many Angels Can Dance on the Head of a Pin?

I.

SABHAL, Gaelic, “barn.”

See that banshee by the barn?

Stick a needle in my eye.

Cross my heart and hope to die.

Black-souled, a beast glossy as black

ink, I promise to tell you the truth.

II.

Better-than-Muzak Jesus message at the threshold

of audibility: heaven heaven heaven… .

Multitudinous small gray moths

beating their wings, coming close

one by one… .

“In” said an angel, sticking

a pin in my eye. Goodnight.

III.

Buddyboy, you have no power to send me to Hell.

Pussycats like you crucified me.

After the exegesis the glossary.

After the nails the good dream:

Gollum leads the Balrog away

on the finest chain you’ve

ever let pool upon one wrist. …

Amen, amanuensis, amen.