Patrick Haas
 
out of and into
 
i am trying to decipher
a vocabulary of rainwater.
 
it says we used to sell land,
but now we sell wind.
 
it says i used to get down
with my money
every night and pray to it.
 
like i made crosses out of twenties
and prayed to the green scent  
in my fists.
 
says if you pray to the devil
your tongue will turn into a fifty
flapping between your teeth.
 
says if you pray to the crucifix
you will see nickels falling
from the wounds of jesus
like heavy birds.
 
& oh yes, if you turn into a cloud
you could be anything.

Patrick Haas has published work in Salt Hill, Verdad, Petri Press, and other journals.