| two neighborhoods distant |
| even if the god of that church does not smile | |
| upon you |
| even if the bell is tolling the slow breath of a life | |
| being rung away |
| take that one pure draught into yourself | |
| like a sweet liquor |
| and keep your heart clean; the truth of bells | |
| will not be argued |
| and even the air hanging heavy with soot | |
| should never harm your love |
| nor the blankness between buildings, or stories | |
| of dangerous youth |
| or wars fought and bled dry sometime | |
| before your birth |
| what are those to draw a bleak line | |
| through your health? |
| Keep your hearts clean, so no words | |
| may drown them |
| keep them clean, almost white, bend | |
| in fierce weather, fly before a gale |
| wear the wings of angels if you need to | |
| stand among the clouds if you need to |
| let everywhere hear the sound, however small | |
| of your life’s ringing |
| Keep Your Heart Clean - Mark Schultz |
