John Eason Stops Preaching

from Hilary Purrington: John Eason Stops Preaching

for SATB choir a cappella

John Eason Stops Preaching

by Julia Bouwsma

One time I slid from a ladder. When I hit ground my breath arced out of me vertebrae wheezed teeth punched right through.

Today the nails are backwards screaming: split boards pop and fall in a heap beside my un-building.

Ever suck in a great gulp of air on a fifteen below night? It’ll burn a hole right through your lung leave you doubled up gasping spitting blood on the barn floor.

The Lord left me today— all those years inside my body like my breath was his house.

Words by Julia Bouwsma