The Sexton Knew

a poem

Photo credit: St. Ives, hippostcard.com

The sexton had one job:

keep the font lid dusted

though it had been ages

since it had been lifted

~

and may be ages more

with rusting factories

and Ichabod pews

heavy and ornate

~

priests and wardens

turning tired pages

with monotone voice

and icicle hands.

~

But through it all

the sexton knew:

keep the font lid dusted.