out from Columbus, that eastern city
fully covered now, the ancient rubric spread
like seeds.
dark clothing hides the greed, the little notebook
totally profits, each column counting
transactions, each hard heart falsifying needs.
from farm to farm the buggy visits; in the back
the load of bibles squirms,
like a living thing, verses tossed to desperate
minds, each eager for relief.
social occasions warm the guest, piles of bibles
rise higher, difficult passages read aloud, itinerant
preacher man aglow with faith.
crumpled dollars stuffed in his pockets, he’ll
trade for Jesus too. But the Old
Testament sells fear better, and scares
the farmers’ wives whiter than whitewashed
fences.
bedding down now, he counts the bible-money,
a good day for rejoicing.
Under Amber Skies, written by author and poet Jill Eisnaugle, is a wonderful collection of rhyming poetry guaranteed to please every reader. In this, her second book, she writes of new friendships kindled, as well as old friendships solidified. She g