Cathedral rings the morning call
arousing the children from a
distant land of baseball
and open sand lots using tin cans for bases
Life streams from the east
over the cathedral spires
patiently bringing light to shadows
chasing away the midnight sun
The downtown commons unusually busy
this time of day, merchants crowd the street
bustling mothers buying milk, and
bread to feed their young
Newly planted saplings line the square
proudly showing radiant red, yellow and green
against a smoky background
fresh cut stone, gun-powder stained, pock marked with 45 caliber
Lily of the valley
planted delicately with purpose
to hide, bury secrets
and the young bones
Fallen statue near the cathedral
an angel on her knees
praying for mercy
praying for silence
