Seconds

The Ancient Modern

Seconds /  Joshua Alan Sturgill

It was really the First Supper
so (as with all new things)
there was some confusion
as to protocol. An amount
of arguing and reaching, side

conversations, and a looming
tension somewhat cluttered
the event. Here was God (God!)
offering a strangely simple meal

of Earth and Sky. Here were day
and night and disciples, all
in a room—an upper room,
which means suspended
which means disbelief

of a sort. Let’s say, instead, varied
levels of belief. Judas gawked
greedily at the onions; Thomas
doubted the quality of the wine.

But representing the opposite
extreme, Saint John presses
his ear so close, so close
because he loves, and so that
he can hear Let There Be

gravy and veal and blintzes, and
because he knows there are no Seconds
(a Next Supper, feathered and opulent)
until the First has been fully consumed.

All poetry and supplementary material: copyright 2020 by Joshua Alan Sturgill. All rights reserved.