“Reading the Book,” New Era, Oct. 1982, 51
Reading the Book
The parent-pleasing thing to do.
A bore.
A chore.
That’s what it would be.
Chapter-verse cadence
to put me to sleep.
Isaiah and Isaiah and Isaiah.
And trees in vineyards growing.
And trees not growing.
And so who cares?
That’s what it would be,
would be,
would be …
But I was wrong.
Plot, plottings, peoples
come alive.
The dreams and the visions
are mine.
I rejoice: Christ in America!
I sorrow: War and battle.
The book is ending too fast, fast, fast.
Chapter-verse rhythms racing
up, down, all around.
Mormon leading armies,
abridging records,
final struggle,
Jaredite records
(amazing tale),
Moroni writes,
records hidden.
The promise.
I promise.