Our Lady of the Angels of Collioure by James Gaines

Cool tunnels through the stunning light Lead to a gathering point of gold The saints lined up like friends at an inn Welcome travelers to their daily cluster Helpful Chris, busy Tony, Terry the intense Joe silent as ever knowingly nods Disrobing flowers in absidal chapels Display their offering of elixir Yet in this holy intimacy I am not reluctant to ask For the most usual refreshment Assurances to relax my twitchy mind Or soothe the over-travelled conscience Prayers finish with a last dazzling sip I pass up an offering to the polished olive wood box To leave it in a crumpled plastic cup Held out by the vestibule tramp who mutters Euro grace and benedicity

PREVIOUS TABLE OF CONTENTS NEXT Biography

Copyright © 2024 by Red River Review. First Rights Reserved. All other rights revert to the authors. No work may be reproduced or republished without the express written consent of the author.