The Ancient Chorister
The old guy with his nose
full of Vick’s has a voice
like a moose in full cry
and breath like an opened grave
but they let him sing
the Messiah year after year.
For His acceptable praise
God calls up all His instruments
even the old man,
like a taped-up gym piano
with broken, blackened keys
still an authentic musical species,
he dons his robe again and sings
(and Handel smiles, directing
from the wings).