Breathing Lesons: an American History

Slightly oxygen deprived,
we waited for Jesus
beneath reefs of smoke from the mills.

He never did show
so we lit up a jay
and passed it around –
righteous weed.

Then the mills
fell to shadow
and stores downtown
caught fire for insurance.

A little breathing space
for the town fathers.

We slid around
in air made thick
with potatochip grease,

service industries
our salvation,
the Gospel According
to Reagan.

Finally we lit out

for the exurbs

and except for
barbecue smoke

and lawn chemicals,

 

why, a man can breathe
right nicely out here
Ma’am.