Jangling Truth

The rusting vestige of this body
is a gallery of so many bold mistakes.

This classic archway to nowhere
is defined by temporary bridges
and foreign phrases meant to insure
survival and little else--
bread and water for the crossing.

Bring me a coin,
some small talisman I can believe in.
Bring me a pocket full of jangling truth
that doesn't tarnish with time.
Bring a poem wrapped in securely in light
and I will believe
we are worthy
of the blue blossoms
of forgiveness.