Jerusalem’s Fire

how many sirens does it take to write a poem
what can you say between the seventh and the eighth

except you’d like to believe there’s a hell
for those who kill in the name of God
promising his warriors houris

how many rejections does it take
before you meet someone who dares
to call a spade a spade
the most devout people I know are atheists

how many drivers and bakers do you ask
to realize you’re not alone
not losing it
to hear that everyone needs an airport
to carry Jerusalem’s fire

where he’d take a vacation
if he came back today

seventy-two virgins is too much
many of them would be disappointed
a poem needs an Easter egg
like a girl needs a decent suitor

how many lovers can you skip
to write about them anyway