Prayer in Hell’s Kitchen

I need an image to begin

like the city needs another face 

thrown to the pavement,

kneeled on and stained.

Hell’s Kitchen knows

how to welcome a stranger.

Wilde ones, let us forgive

the bitter pill delivered

with each finger shoved down.

Forgive tasting Judas. Forgive nothing.

Here is the bed, dark like a true beginning.

We all enter the body alone

and only once. 

We do not get to stay.