Cherubic Hymn

All night single file the words of the Cherubikon 

Walk their stairs of music through me

Each note a flickering flame that turns 

With bright eyes and a face solemnly beckoning

In the morning the mystery is dimmed 

By my weariness and small, clamoring hands 

Pushing the pink stool up to the potty

Sit With Me Mommy the coy ringlets the demands

So passes the day- stationary, sedentary

In the static of HVAC.  Fingers at the keyboard

Fluorescent lights over stained low-shag carpet;

Conversations about booze; what the weather has in store

But birds tapping on the window pull strings 

Attached to invisible places inside me

And the words appear like Tolkien’s line of elves 

Leaving middle earth, their sound sober and testing

Let us who mystically
Represent the cherubim

And who sing the thrice-holy hymn

To the life-giving Trinity

Lay aside all earthly cares

All earthly cares

The notes’ flame faces come into focus in a moment of silence

Not static at the desk but stillness 

The bloom of the invitation spreading out before me

Like the parachute petals of a red anemone

That we may receive 

The King of All

Invisibly escorted by the angelic hosts

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The song beholds me briefly as it passes

Invitation ringing softly as it nears

Let us lay aside all earthly cares

all earthly cares