Praying the Rosary on the A Train

The night takes back her rest, having grown warm,
but I remembered you, bound as I am
by this lovely and unexpected chain.
One thing is necessary, one my aim.


I leaped the terrible leap of having been born
and ever since have sought peace between darknesses.
The world knows many things and man preaches gain,
but one thing is necessary, one my aim.


The night sets up her kingdom; it’s a science
of emigrants, best learned by osmosis,
on the train to the Rockaways in warm rain.
God I remember you, bound as I am.

Matthew Kirby

Matthew Kirby’s writing has appeared in Conjunctions, Open City, Diagram, and other periodicals. His chapbook, The Evening Papers, was published by Noemi Press. He holds a BA in humanities from NYU and is working towards an MFA in creative writing at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

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The Trip We Didn’t Take

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Obedience