Mix the Old with the New
At the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, black
people joyfully bob their heads while Benita shouts
He’s awesome and holds out the microphone.
He’s awesome!
Awesome.
He’s awesome!
Awesome.
He’s excellent! she screams.
Whoever playing that ’lectric guitar, playing the fool
out those strings.
Nevertheless, Mrs. Montgomery, the deaconess
with bowed head, misses her Fountain Filled with Blood
Slow gospel from the desultory keys to the supernal parts
she sings in an almost silent voice to sunlight
in stained glass windows
Lo! The keyboard, figuratively turned over
Nibbled fingers pump it. Music develops—still don’t you think
New churches ought to sing old hymns.
Proverbs 23:10—Remove not the old landmark.