The Preacher Man Saves Lily’s Soul (1914)

I. The land is as the Garden of Eden before him

Isaiah Jackson flee Mississippi,
steamer to Providence, raise up he voice
in a fire of holiness, shout out
salvation abroad—
pour down Spirit
pour down!

The preacher man plaster revival
on lampposts, plant him a tent
in a field—
          pour
          down Spirit
          pour down!

The Whore and the Horseman, they ride against nations.

The love of all people gone cold—

          pour down
          Spirit
                    pour
                    down!

II. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation

Isaiah set they soul afire. Lily wake, clapping hymns

to the night. Her sister sigh out of sleeping,

the dark air all live-up with light. They follow they mother

to the white tent cross Bain Town. Dark fingers lace white.

Isaiah call down Father, Son, and Holy Fire:
          Raise them stones up, scorpion-walker,
                    Raise up people in his name!
          Take that cross up, serpent-handler,
                    Cast out demons in his name!

When news headlines strike young men afire,
Saiah cry out, Take arms up and fight!
He raise he flame-voice up in prayer.
Blaze down Spirit!
Catch light!

III. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh

Lily watch the preacher face ignite.
The world catch fire, Lily flame and fall,
and new words sparkle from her mouth.

She come home from the meeting Christ-ridden, bright.

↓ Featured Poet #14

POETRY:

Nicolette Bethel
- The Preacher Man Saves Lily’s Soul (1914)
- The Carpenter Seals Lily’s Widowhood (1943)

Nicolette Bethel

Nicolette Bethel was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, where she currently resides. She is a playwright, poet, fiction writer and anthropologist. Her work has been published in The Caribbean Writer, Calabash, Eclectica, Words-Myth, Trespass Magazine, The American Poetry Journal, The Avatar Review, The Barefoot Muse, and elsewhere.

Anti- Thesis:

“Ever since Anti- came out, I’ve been trying to decide what it is that I’m against in poetry. It’s what stopped me from submitting earlier, to be frank. Maybe I’m anti-statement? I don’t know. I’m not studying poetry in any programme anywhere, and so I’m free thankheaven of theory and all that jazz. So anyway, let’s stay in the moment. For the purposes of this submission, then, here’s what I’m against in poetry: gimmickery.

Gimmickery. That’s it. I’m against gimmickery.

Oh, and I’m against Americans correcting the British spelling of words. Like programme.

The Preacher Man Saves Lily’s Soul (1914)

↓ Featured Poet #14

POETRY:

Nicolette Bethel

Anti- Thesis:

Nicolette Bethel

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