The Frontier Sermon

The circuit-riding preacher

Came to town on back of

A black horse (“I call him

Evangelion, having shod him

With the Gospel”) and, stepping

Down, he called out for water.

He drank and washed and

Shook his golden head. “I

Come to you, Word of God in

Hand and six-gun on my

Belt, ready to declare to you

All the counsel of God

On high, and the mystery

Of his Son. Gather, children,

Sons and daughters, of God

And of the Devil, and hear that

Heavenly Word. Look around,

Look around, at this broad

And fearsome West, fashioned

By God against all wisdom

Not crucified with Christ.”

And again he paused, and again

He called, for whiskey and

Some bread, and blessed them

In Dakota’s dawn. When

He had drunk and ate, he

Opened up his book, he
Cleared his throat, and preached.