Church

“why toss a bird in the sky
& not allow her to fly?”
-Matthew Shenoda, Countryside

you did it
you prepared the ground
planted the seeds
watered them
with music, spirit, prayers
there was wine
there was bread
the smell of sulphur
just after the lighting of the candles

touch
taste
velvet red cushions
under my knees
symbols in rainbow colors
around my neck
you
were home, my Garden
birth and death
water and blood
ashes to ashes
palm-branch crosses
pollen-saturated altars
at resurrection sunrise

you made me fall in love
you gave me a floor to dance
find my voice

yet when I started to soar
you clipped my wings
knocked me out of the sky

but now I know the rhythm of the wind
and I will find a new way to fly.




pmr