Questions at One O'Clock

Listen to Wesley McNair read this poem.

On the religious program the visiting pastor
is roasting the host behind the desk
about how much weight he put on.
The host comes right back about
the pastor's hairline. Are they trying
to show God enjoys a good joke, like us?
When the mood changes and the camera
moves closer to the host's pressed
eyelids, does he believe his promise
that we will know the meaning of Christ's
sacrifice if we send him the pledge
he requests of us? There is nobody to ask.
It is one o'clock in the morning, and the streets
are rainy and dark outside the TV store
where ten hosts are praying all at once
in different flesh tones. A woman pushing
a shoppingcart walks by wearing their faces
and the repeated red color of the host's tie
on her back. Passing cars flash streaks
of flesh and red from their closed windows.

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