Oratorio

[Todd]

Hi Johnny, some comments for you.

Oratorio


It is in thumbed pages,--nice opening and semi-refrain
slow-turning, penned by men--it's a preference but I'd prefer the break on penned and add by stiff collared men in the next line. 
stiff collared in candle light --Candlelight is one word.
their names unpronouncible
to young tongues, that I find him.--I like this sequence. On the whole, effective setup and opening.

Head resting on a scattering
of dust covered pages his glasses akimbo,--I like the creative use of akimbo here. 
his legs creased. By his feet,
warm hearted and wool cosied,--You should consider using hyphens stiff-collared, warm-hearted. 
its breath perfumed sweet,
sits a teapot. Jennens’ oratorio --This syntax sounds awkward: its breath perfumed sweet, sits a teapot.
whispers in his ear.

It is in thumbed pages,
slow-turning, that the topography
of his face is written, formed in simple words.--Nice tight observational writing in this strophe. 
 
I can see them, finger
running from adjective, expletive
to verb, his features are simple --simple and reserved feel like placeholders. I'd spend some more time considering your imagery here.
and reserved. They look much
like mine but older. His hair is dark and--don't like the and here as a word or a break. I think I'd move into the very cool sleep-crumpled without the conjunction. (and add the hyphen).
sleep crumpled on his scalp.--possibly to instead of on.

It is in thumbed pages,
slow turning, dense beyond belief--dense beyond belief is a conclusion not an image 
that he stirs to see me, small palms
pushing on the door. I can’t sleep
and he beckons me to him

But on turning the page
I find that he has gone. --I think you would be better served ending on these lines and reversing your final two strophes.

No longer flesh and blood
but ink smeared paper, his face lost again,
forgotten, hidden somewhere amongst adjectives,
expletives and verbs.

Hope the comments help.

Best,

Todd