Quinquagesima

Quinquagesima
By Jonathan Bennett

But if we can together shelter,
Rebuild above us a roof,
Make a new place to live.
Then this torrent can be our ark.

Perhaps taking to our beds
And finding stolen the covers,
Will force us together for warmth
Naked and able, at last, to rest.

Maybe a literary washing
And a giving way of stains
So long, so long set in
Can help us begin again clean.

Consider that a little libation
Can loosen the tongue, letting words flow
And lead to some things spilling
While leaving room for more to imbibe.

And if by my gluttony
I leave the table fat
Then through my binge
Let there be room for us all to feast.