Energy

Father Boyce said energy never dies
Although scientists, he said
were observing some in the Russian depths of Lake Baikal
that looked to be on its last legs
Father Boyce said it hadn’t died yet though
and he didn’t think it would

So energy never dies said the priest
and he chalked an equation on the board
to put his point beyond the arguments of catholic schoolchildren
and budding unbelievers
So neither will you or I or anyone
God takes us home
God takes us home

On my scooter route to work knocked dead
some weeks back snarled a rotting dog
In death it had begun to disappear
I thought of energy and Father Boyce who must be gone by now
Red and white mushrooms popped up beside the dog
Cheerfully alive in contrast to the putrid carcass

Look Father! I screamed into my crash helmet
Angels!
Angels!