Morning Office by John Pierce

Oh Lord,

This morning is not so beautiful

as some I’ve seen sober,

though I’ve seen few enough sober.

But things could be worse, I suspect.

I could’ve “woke up dead,”

as they say. I’m not dead.

I’m in my truck by a highway,

with bottles around my feet

that cough like fallen chimes

when I reach for the one

wedged in behind the brake.

Forgive me, I pray,

my head pinned beneath the wheel,

I fear I’ve been too grateful,

too long, for the night.

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John Pierce is a high school English teacher in Central Texas. Recently, his work has appeared in Defenestration, Feathertale, Rubber Lemon, and The Shinnery Review.

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Editor’s Note: Please continue praying for Bennett.