In The Desert

in the desert
shade is the last Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie
from the box in the freezer
and you’re ready to fight
every neighbor kid
and all the world for it

under a mis-planted deciduous tree
is the Vatican
a place of safety and order
here you can dance in secret sun worship
and not get sunburned
you’ll get an indirect scorching instead

the only recourse
is redress
chop down the tree
plant a tumbleweed
denounce the church
and burn merrily in hell