Friday, June 9, 2023

Girl at Shrine

 It was during Lent, my soul began to itch

I used to watch old ladies in black kneel down before a shrine to pray

You see them weeping

Beating their chests with a rosary wrapped around their hands

I wonder what they pray for?

More years

Death

Forgiveness for a sin that happened so long ago nobody remembers except her and God

Once I saw a woman kneel and pray before a shrine that was nailed to a tre

Nothing unusual about that, except we all thought this woman was a witch, or crazy

She was praying for sanity, no dobut

I want my life to begin

I'm told these dry times are good, spiritual

Like walking with Jesus in the desert

Well, my legs hurt, I'm thirsty, and I'm not God

But I do know in my simple kitchen mind that all things- good things come from God

From my mother's garden, I make a garland and walk solemnly in the forest, kneel on hard ground and pray

No tears fell

No voices heard

Silence, only silence

I left the garland as an offering, hoping Mary would find it acceptable

The walk home was slow

Halfway through the forest, Jesus took my hand 

And together we walked home on a new path



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