While Contemplating a Painting of Napoleon in the Louvre
Peter Magliocco
The human profile remains nearly divine,
Something rendered by ethereal sculptors
Who saw grace in that primal thrust
Of bone & jaw, both welded
To the image of a founding father.
I’ve just had a whiff of carbon emissions
Slowly figuring this all out now
Over an overpriced cup of gourmet coffee
While waiting for my cell phone ring tone
(something out of Beethoven’s Fifth)
Proclaiming, yes, God is calling:
The one & only Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed
Are leaving voice mail messages
For me to get back to them ASAP –
The fate of humanity’s in the balance
If I don’t, or just procrastinate.
Instead I chuckle, take another java-sip
While opening the city newspaper,
Scanning grim headlines in a glance
While wondering if tomorrow’s Judgment Day
Or just another day in paradise.