PERFECTION

how perfect that image
of a man
beaten blue
bloody
crowned with a circle of inch long thorns
and nailed
to a wooden beam

how can one resist him
hanging there
when the shit is hitting the fan
and the rent is past due
and the air conditioner quit
and the job sucks
and the wife is carping
and you're late for your shift again
and you think you're at your limit
only to find
that the goddamned car won't start