Reading the Book

The parent-pleasing thing to do.

A bore.

A chore.

That’s what it would be.

Chapter-verse cadence

to put me to sleep.

Isaiah and Isaiah and Isaiah.

And trees in vineyards growing.

And trees not growing.

And so who cares?

That’s what it would be,

would be,

would be …

But I was wrong.

Plot, plottings, peoples

come alive.

The dreams and the visions

are mine.

I rejoice: Christ in America!

I sorrow: War and battle.

The book is ending too fast, fast, fast.

Chapter-verse rhythms racing

up, down, all around.

Mormon leading armies,

abridging records,

final struggle,

Jaredite records

(amazing tale),

Moroni writes,

records hidden.

The promise.

I promise.