Short Socialnight Poems

Pastoral Hymn

Pastoral Hymn


Formerly, one knew on sight the ones
who walked with economic purpose.
One had criteria: the color
of their robes, the meter
of their stroll, the semaphore of their
cosmetic blare.
One knew that night for them was dawn,
that night lit bright their signal.
Today, my pastor claims, 
one must inquire of them all.


Donal Mahoney