the preacher

your brother and his bible,
the pages
worn, underlined in
yellow,
key words, key points.
salvation ironed
out smooth
in the index.
the parables
stale upon
his tongue.
it used to a weapon
in his hand,
a plow
that he pushed through
the fields. no more.
now it's a pillow that he lies
his head
upon, finally surrendering
after all
these years
to silence.