It may be the blood of the lamb washes

away sins but I’ve heard too many

testimonies where the details of the sins

were stated with an outlaw pride

and sense of regret for days gone by.

There’s something about singing honkey-tonk

in a honkey-tonk that can’t stay out

of hymns, gospel music an equivalent

to smoke-filled rooms, the low growl

of a bass, the moan of piano keys,

the liquid voices of barroom angels.

The power of love that changes the world.

No, I’ve heard and seen too many testimonies

end in “praise God” uncertain what

the praise was for.

Hootism I’m pretty certain that what I know is always, only a foundation for what I am to know.