Other gods

He climbs the steps
with a quiet reverence,
an offering
held carefully in the jaw
and lays the sacrifice at the top of the alter
then slowly backs away.

In the morning the deity screams
and is unpleased,
sweeping the carrion
from the path of unrelenting worshipers.

And so he seeks the adulation of other gods
whose temples fill the city block
with portals ready made
for hungry vagabonds such as he
to come and go as they please.
To eat and drink
and even dream.

But there is no respite for his prey
who cower behind the blades of grass
or the closed curtain
holding perfectly still
hoping the zealots
will stay away from the back porch
with their brochures.