St. Timothy & Titus (patrons of stomach disorders)

stop drinking only water

those things fluttering around

in your stomach can swim

have a little wine for the sake

of things to come, for those aches

that wake you mid-dream

with hands clutched to your side

trying to grasp what could possibly

be in there but organs

illuminating the dark

singing out in sleep, radiating

like the pavement in summer

always hot to the touch.

_____________________

“Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine

for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”

(1 Timothy 5:23)