Merilyn Chang

Bethlehem ii

our heaven is still within reach

hands, outstretched, like liquid veins in the desert

the walls have fallen—

—angels shed their wings

mud houses collapsed to reveal

cathedrals of glass and marble

the lies they told us as children

burned away by a land that no longer needs water

love who you love, a hymned orison, a choir of sirens

the planets, hanging in our horizon like a nursery mobile

Saturn’s rings, spinning on its axis

and who could blame us for

finding happiness in a different god

badgering the gates of Eden to let us in

because we have worshiped, despite our sin

my dear, our heaven is just around the corner

leave your cymbals, and black clothes

they won’t hate us for being in love

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