The young castrati

It’s a mid sixteenth century line-up

and those who aspire

to sing the highest of the high notes

within the boys choirs are asked

to step forward as it was proposed

that this was a great honor bringing

the chosen closer to God. 

This is in praise and wonderment

of the young castrati,

suffering for the pitch of the song,

but I can’t get my head wrapped-

around their reasoning,

even when God is placed at the center,

not of the universe, but of the conversation,

and there's always the standard falsetto option.

What must the young, curious girls

have thought about the castrati,––

walking side-by-side on the shortcut home,

crossing the meadow behind the bakery,

sunset closing in, the atmosphere

more Venetian than Florentine, asking slyly,

their eyes passed down, if they might...

see it.