Soft And Sweet And Obviously Good

When the word got out
that dogs are in fact 
those angels spoken of
in so many spiritual traditions,
there was a run on premium chow
and custom leather collars.

When the word got out
that cats made up a portion
of the heavenly host as well,
salmon became endangered
and mice were demonized anew.

When it became known
that those without homes, 
those who walk our streets
seeking shelter, those filthy
difficult humans
who huddle wherever 
some measure of heat and 
roof can be found
also have a holy role —

nothing changed, as those
who depend on sweet faces
and soft touch as talismans
of good refused that Word
and relied upon their own ease
to validate the meanness 
of their theology.