46: Not to swear in the name of an idol

The Book of Knowledge
Laws of Idolatry and Paganism
Not to swear in the name of an idol (Ex. 23:13)

            a therapist’s office

PATIENT
at night i see his face

THERAPIST
perfectly understandable

PATIENT
his face in my dreams

THERAPIST
echoes to be expected

PATIENT
wickedly beautiful

THERAPIST
don’t focus on that

PATIENT
the face of a god

THERAPIST
he’s a charlatan not a god

PATIENT
i know he’s a charlatan
that’s what makes him beautiful

THERAPIST
what makes him a god?

PATIENT
his beauty

THERAPIST
perfectly understandable

PATIENT
my lips move to praise him but no sound comes out

THERAPIST
that’s good

PATIENT
i want to sing his songs but i clamp down my tongue

THERAPIST
that’s progress

PATIENT
i know it is
that’s what’s so terrible

THERAPIST
you’re free now

PATIENT
not yet
but maybe
maybe

            END OF PLAY