Detox Passage

after William Brewer

You find spoons everywhere:

under kitchen cabinets, inside comforters,

poking through boxer briefs. Yesterday,

you sat on the sofa and discovered spoons 

had replaced stuffing. You cut open cushions,

heaved out hundreds. This is a clearing process.

You dream only of metal. The pastor tells you:

This is normal.  You must simply let go of the spoons.

You accept this but the sink still fills up with silver.

The shower spits sterling.  Rid yourself of the temptation, 

my son. The pastor has our father's blue-green eyes.

You listen and nod: throw out every spoon in the house.

You tell the pastor you can do it. You believe

you can do it. God is with you, my son.

The jerks in your arms and teeth begin

to go. All you had to do was rid yourself

of temptation.  You thank God for new strength,

bow your head to pray for more good,

more clean, but every time you close

your eyes you see

that silver curve

and linger.