David Stephenson
Rousting Jesus
Hey Chief, wake up. Can you stand up? Let's go.
Christ, what happened to your hands and feet,
and how'd you get those cuts around your head?
Let's have a look. Alright, I guess you'll live.
I don't know what you think you're doing here
but this is a nice, family neighborhood
and there's an ordinance about the park—
it's just for residents, and closed at night.
You need to gather all your stuff and leave.
If you're still here the next time I come through
I'll have to call it in. You don't want that.
Come on, let's go. There's nothing for you here.
Bio
David Stephenson lives in Detroit, MI. His poems have most recently appeared in Tar River Poetry, Valparaiso Poetry Review, and Plainsongs. His second collection, Wall of Sound, was published by Kelsay Books in 2022.