Bread Keeper

at the nexus
of lord and loaf
the grain supply
the holders of plenty
and the bread beggars

the shepherd of sums
exacts his due
from the low places
he himself
bathed in the glass light
of heaven

father, son, ghost
the one law
of plentitude
in communion

blessed the high walls
of providence
sun, soil, and rain
on the fields of eternity

blessed the plow and yoke
the share exacted
the protection given

blessed the poor
the compliant
the copper-filled pockets
of towns become
cities, states, nations at war