How Like A God

A new poem of mine, written several months ago from a restaurant view.

How Like A God

Looking down on a new city

from a third-story restaurant

is not like being a god

in the sense that I am on top of the world,

it is like being a god

in the sense that I am

better than you,

that I am judging you in this moment,

o motorcycle pizza delivery guy,

seen from above

through a canopy of flowers,

playing with a colleague’s son.

Not judging in the sense

of heaven and hell,

but in the sense of the senses.

I am deciding that your moment

on the sidewalk immediately below me

is beautiful

and that I am worthy to say it is so.

Also this is like being a god

in the sense that I am outside you,

completely other.

And although I am sure I understand you

you do not even see me

and could never hope to understand

from down there without revelation,

that is,

if I were not completely condescending

in the theological sense.