Asaph’s Paradise

Asaph leads the choir in May
on the banks of tombs for mourning feasts
where lepers chant and hear
rendering the only crime untranslated
by visible signs and holy company.

Radiant and pungent weeds stir morning
tribes among a variety of case words,
stigmatized by hospitality, distinguished
by gnats and mosquitos covering masses,
running veils, for fighting, for well known
instruments, for guards authorized
to attend Asian temples.

His readable memory is presented to the king,
to the upper region in frank dialogue.
assemblies with violins
with harps
with basset-horns and mandolins
insist tension on doublet factions
weeds in the market grove catch
mud from downpipes and flow into the sea
with a thousand men remaining,
a thousand horns performing.