Good News

“Would you like to hear some Good News?” the Preacher said.
“Church burn down?” My grandpa said, not slackening
His step and a half with easy limp, smooth in waltz time
A legacy of the mine
When it rained he walked
One two step one two.

Preacher said nothing until he was dead
Grandpa's breathing hard
Hunh one two hah one two
“Don't
Let”
Hunh one two
Hah one two
“That”
Hunh one two
“Preacher near me.”

Preacher said, “He's in God's hands.”

And the ladies gathered up grandma and me and ours.
“Bury me in slate, like my brother,” Grandpa said.
“They never brought him out.”

“He's in the hands of a just God,” The Preacher said.
And I walked out on two good legs
Grandpa's pain bought me.

One
Two
Breathe
One
Two.

I hope your god hurts when it rains.