Rosary

we blow a red rose for Our Saviour, white for Our Lady,

or is it the other way around? Olive wood

passes through

unhurried hands lips whispering, "Hail Mary,

full of Grace," and "Our Father" -- prayers

of

warm sand

coursing through gnarled fingers, quiet

supplication

worn to bone -- "and blessed

is the

fruit

of thy womb, Jesus" -- As we

taxi from the gate, she

curls her free hand

around mine -- "Glory

be to the Father, and

to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit" --

Seats in the

upright Position, she closes her eyes,

her crucifix against her knuckle, her

grip tighter --

"As it was in the beginning,

is Now, and Ever shall be" --

blessed, we hurl into the air, she

opens her eyes, and smiles --

"World without End" --

amen