Before We Raise Our Glasses

At the feast you will serve in my honor
please first examine the arrows in your quiver
and fletch them with freshly found feathers
before my enemies and wicked seekers approach the table
with casseroles and steaming dishes filled
with the footprints of poison
that might, if we aren't careful, take us all.

On nights like these, the humidity of humanity
almost overcomes us with a powerful stench of flesh
and comical discharge, and yet, we bring the best wine
knowing it is what we must do.

Before we raise our glasses in celebration,
run your fingers along the length of these truths,
hand steady, eyes sharp, and aim secure,
so that we might be sure to hit the mark
if we must find our way out of the crowds
toward the open country and air
that we call home.