heaven for the brokenhearted

nature knows the altar boy
like we know prefix and preface
and title our lives in caps.

there will be roads
that lead into worlds on fire
and disjoint; swaying
in deep water with pleated hair
like roads imprinted in allegory
before drowning.
and what follows is
life
life
life
life again
sleep.

there will be hearts
that are meant to be wasted.
the altar boy knows the nature of us,
for no one smiles
in the face of love.