Namaan the accomplished leper
has forgotten the joy of water;
he wants no less than fireworks
to restore his banal hurts.
But the prophet is more bull than
cow—he won’t be milked. “Tell the man
to splash around in the river awhile.
Tell him, for God’s sake, to smile.
Get his high horse to throw him off.
All his adult victories cost
him more than his childish heart can pay.
Tell him to lighten up and play.”